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Documents  relating  to 

Internal  Improvements 
in  the 
State  of  Illinois 

Washington 

1836 


LIBRARY      OF 

KNOX- COLLEGE 


F1NLEY- COLLECTION- ONTHE 
HISTORYAND- ROMANCE-  OF 
§3    •     THE -NORTHWEST     ■    §8 

PRESENTED    BY 
EDWARD    CALDWELL 


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25th  Congress,  [  SENATE,  ] 

2d  Session. 


DOCUMENTS 


rN  RELATION  TJ 


INTERNAL  IMPROVEMENTS, 

In  the  State  of  Illinois. 


March  5,  1838. 

Submitted  by  Mr.  Young,  and  ordered  to  be  printed,  and  that  300  additional  copies  be  fur- 
nished for  the  use  of  the  Senate. 


An  act  to  establish  and  maintain  a  general  system  of  internal  improve- 
ment, with  supplementary  acts :  passed  at  a  General  Assembly  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  begun  and  held  at  Vandalia,  on  the  bth  December. 
1836. 

Sec  i.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  represented 
in  the  General  Assembly,  That  there  shall  be  elected  by  the  joint  vote  of 
the  present  General  Assembly,  and  biennially  thereafter,  a  board  of  fund 
commissioners,  to  consist  of  three  members,  who  shall  be  practical  and  ex- 
perienced financiers,  and  whose  terms  of  office  therein  shall  expire  bienni- 
ally, and  who  shall  be  eligible  to  re-election.     Each  member  of  the  board, 
before  entering  into  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office,  shall  severally 
take  and  subscribe  an  oath  or  affirmation,  faithfully,  honestly,  and  diligently 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  said  office,  and  shall  execute  a  bond  to  the 
Governor,  and  his  successors  in  office,  for  the  use  of  the  State,  in  the  penal 
sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars,   with  good  and  sufficient  security,  to  be  ap- 
proved by  the  Governor  or  the  person  administering  the  Government,  condi- 
tioned for  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office,  imposed  upon 
him,  or  thereafter  to  be  imposed  upon  him,  by  law  ;  and  for  the  faithful  ac- 
counting for  all  moneys  that  shall  or  may  come  into  his  hands  as  fund 
commissioner  ;  and  all  vacancies  which  may  occur  in  the  board  of  fund 
commissioners  during  the  recess  of  the  Legislature,  shall  be  filled  by  ap- 
pointment by  the  Governor,  which  appointments  shall  continue  until  the 
end  of  the  next  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  until  their  successors 
are  elected  and  qualified,  and  who  shall  give  bond  and  take  an  oath  in  the 
same  manner  as  is  required  by  the  foregoing  part  of  this  section  of  other 
commissioners. 

Sec.  2.  A  majority  of  the  board  of  fund  commissioners  shall  constitute  a 
quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business  ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  said 
board  of  fund  commisssions  to  contract  for  and  negotiate  all  loans  author- 
ized to  be  effected  by  the  Legislature,  on  the  faith  and  credit  of  the  State,  for 
objects  of  internal  improvements  or  other  purposes,  unless  otherwise  pro- 
vided for,  on  the  best  and  most  favorable  terms  for  the  interests  of  the  State ; 
and  shall  sign  and  execute  bonds  or  certificates  of  stock  therefor,  in  the 
Blair  &  Rires,  printers. 


manner  directed  by  law  ;  and  shall  receive,  manage,  deposite,  and  apply  all 
sums  of  moneys  arising  from  said  loans,  in  such  manner  as  shall,  from  time 
to  time,  be  provided  for  bylaw ;  and  shall  make  quarterly  reports  to  the  au- 
ditor of  public  accounts,  or  to  such  other  authority  as  the  Legislature  may 
direct,  on  the  first  Mondays  of  March.  June,  September,  and  December,  an- 
nually, of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  said  board. 

Sec.  3.  The  board  of  fund  commissioners  shall  keep  a  fair  and  complete 
record  of  all  their  proceedings,  together  with  a  full,  minute  and  accurate  ac- 
count of  all  their  fiscal  transactions  as  commissioners,  with  a  record  of  all 
official  letters  and  correspondence,  written  and  received  in  relation  to  the 
subject  of  their  duties  as  fund  commissioners,  in  well  bound  books,  to  be 
provided  for  the  purpose  ;  which  records  shall  at  all  times  be  open  at  their 
office  to  the  inspection  of  the  Governor,  the  auditor  of  public  accounts,  the 
attorney  general,  and  to  any  member  of  the  General  Assembly.  In  order 
to  enable  the  board  to  keep  said  record,  they  are  hereby  authorized  to  ap- 
point a  secretary  of  the  board,  whenever,  in  their  opinion,  the  business  of  the 
board  may  render  it  necessary  ;  which  secretary,  before  entering  upon  the 
discharge  of  his  duties,  shall  be  required  to  take  an  oath  or  affirmation, 
faithfully  and  diligently  to  perform  the  duties  of  his  appointment,  and  shall 
enter  into  bond  to  the  Governor  of  the  State,  and  his  successors  in  office, 
for  the  use  of  the  State,  in  such  penal  sum,  and  with  such  securities  as  the 
board  may  by  an  order  direct,  conditioned  for  the  faithful  and  diligent  dis- 
charge of  his  duties,  as  secretary  of  the  board  of  fund  commissioners,  and 
for  the  safe  keeping  of  all  books,  vouchers,  and  papers,  which  may  come  to 
his  hands  as  secretary  as  aforesaid.  The  members  of  the  board  of  fund 
commissioners  shall  each  be  entitled  to  receive,  as  a  full  compensation  for 
their  services,  at  the  rate  of  five  dollars  per  day,  for  each  and  every  day  they 
may  be  necessarily  employed  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties.  And  the 
board  may  allow  to  the  secretary  of  the  board  such  compensation  for  his 
services  as  they  may  deem  reasonable  and  just. 

Sec.  4.  That  for  the  purpose  of  promoting  and  maintaining  a  general 
system  of  internal  improvement  in  this  State,  and  of  uniting  its  various 
branches  under  the  same  supervision  and  direction,  (excepting  the  con- 
struction of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal,)  there  shall  be  created  a  board 
of  public  works,  to  consist  of  seven  members,  one  from  each  judicial  cir- 
cuit, to  be  elected  biennially  by  the  joint  vote  of  the  General  Assembly, 
and  who  shall  be  styled  "  The  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Public  Works," 
who  shall  continue  in  office  for  two  years,  and  until  their  successors  are 
elected  and  qualified,  but  who  shall  be  eligible  to  be  re-elected.  Any  vacancy 
which  may  occur  in  the  board  by  death,  refusal  to  act,  resignation,  remo- 
val out  of  the  State,  or  otherwise,  shall  be  filled  by  an  appointment  by  the 
Governor,  which  appointment  shall  expire  at  the  end  of  the  next  session 
of  the  General  Assembly;  and  the  incumbent  thus  appointed  shall  take  the 
like  oath  of  office,  and  enter  into  the  like  bond,  as  is  required  of  the  mem- 
bers elected  by  the  Legislature,  before  he  shall  enter  into  the  discharge  of 
his  duties  as  one  of  said  commissioners. 

Sec.  5.  Each  of  the  members  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public 
works  previously  to  entering  into  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  their  offices, 
respectively,  shall  take  and  subscribe  an  oath  or  affirmation,  faithfully, 
honestly,  impartially,  and  diligently  to  discharge  the  duties  of  his  office 'j 
and  shall  execute  a  bond  to  the  Governor,  and  his  successors  in  office,  for 
the  use  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  in  the  penal  sum  of  twenty  thousand  dofc 


3  [■  259  ] 

tars,  with  two  or  more  good  and  sufficient  securities,  to  be  approved  of  by 
the  Governor,  or  person  administering  the  Government  of  the  State,  con- 
ditioned for  the  faithful,  honest,  impartial,  and  diligent  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  his  office,  as  one  of  the  commissioners  of  the  board  of  commis- 
sioners of  public  works,  and  for  the  faithful  disbursement  of,  and  accou ril- 
ing for,  all  moneys  intrusted  to  him  as  one 'of  said  commissioners;  and  no 
commissioner  shall  be  allowed  to  have  in  his  hands,  at  any  one  time,  more 
than  twenty  thousand  dollars  ;  and  every  sum  advanced  to,  or  received  by 
him,  shall  be  deemed  to  remain  in  his  hands  until  its  application  shall  have 
been  properly  accounted  for  by  the  necessary  vouchers,  to  be  filed  with, 
and  audited  by,  the  board  of  fund  commissioners,  or  such  other  authority 
as  may  be,  from  time  to  time^  directed  by  the  Legislature  to  examine  and 
audit  said  vouchers. 

Sec.  6.  The  members  of  the  said  board  of  public  works,  after  having 
been  qualified,  and  having  executed  bonds  in  the  manner  hereinbefore 
directed,  shall,  on  or  as  soon  as  convenient  before  the  first  Monday  in  April, 
next  ensuing  their  election,  hold  their  first  meeting  at  the  seat  of  Govern- 
ment, and  organize  the  board  by  electing  one  of  their  number  to  be  the 
president  of  the  said  board;  and  by  appointing  a  secretary  of  the  board, 
who,  before  entering  into  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  appointment, 
shall  take  an  oath  or  affirmation  faithfully  and  truly  to  discharge  his  duties 
as  secretary  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  and  shall  enter 
into  bond  to  the  Governor,  and  his  successors  in  office,  for  the  use  of  the 
State,  in  such  penal  sum,  and  with  such  security,  as  the  board  shall  order 
and  direct,  conditioned  for  the  faithful,  true,  and  diligent  discharge  of  his 
duties  as  said  secretary,  which  may  devolve  upon  him  by  law,  or  under  the 
directions,  resolutions,  and  orders  of  the  board. 

Sec.  7.  The  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  when  oiganized 
and  constituted  as  aforesaid,  shall  be  authorized  to  locate,  superintend, 
direct,  and  construct,  on  the  part  and  behalf  of  this  State,  all  works  of 
intern al  improvements  which  have  been,  or  shall  be,  authorized  to  be 
undertaken,  prosecuted,  and  constructed  by  the  State,  either  in  whole  or 
in  part,  (excepting  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal, )  and  the  charge  and 
superintendence  of  all  such  internal  improvements,  excepting  as  aforesaid, 
shall  be  vested  in  said  board ;  and  the  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public 
works  shall  do  and  perform  such  services  and  duties  as  may,  from  time  to 
time,  be  imposed  upon  the  said  board  by  law.  The  said  board  shall  hold 
semi-annual  meetings  on  the  first  Mondays  of  June  and  December,  in  each 
and  every  year,  at  the  seat  of  Government  of  this  State;  and  the  said 
board  shall  have  authority  to  choose  a  president  pro  tempore,  in  the  absence 
of  the  president,  at  any  meeting  of  the  board,  and  to  adjourn,  from  time  to 
time,  to  meet  at  any  other  place  they  may  think  proper  ;  and  the  president 
shall  have  power  to  call  special  meetings  of  the  board  when,  in  his  opinion* 
the  public  interests  may  require  it.  Three  of  the  members  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business,  at  any  stated  or  special 
meeting  of  the  board,  when  convened  under  the  authority  aforesaid.  Each 
of  the  members  of  the  board  shall  be  allowed  to  receive,  as  a  compensation 
for  their  services,  the  sum  of  five  dollars  per  day,  for  every  day  necessarily 
employed  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties;  and  they  shall  and  may  allow  to 
the  secretary  of  the  board,  as  a  compensation  for  his  services,  such  sum  as 
they  may  think  reasonable  and  just  And  the  acting  commissioner  for  the 
fourth  judicial  circuit  shall  cause  to  be  surveyed  a  route  commencing  at 


C  259  ]  4 

Charleston,  via  the  county  seal  of  Clark  county,  to  the  most  eligible  pofrit 
on  the  Great  Wabash  river,  between  York  and  (he  line  dividing  the  States 
of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  and  make  a  report  to  the  next  session  of  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  of  the  utility  of  the  State  constructing  a  railroad  on  said 
route,  together  with  an  estimate  of  the  probable  cost  of  constructing  the 
same :  Provided,  however,  That  if,  in  the  opinion  of  the  board  of  public 
works,  after  said  survey  and  estimates  have  been  made,  that  it  would  be 
best  calculated  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  points  above  named,  and 
ihe  country  through  which  said  road  may  pass,  to  build  a  good  turnpike 
road,  then,  and  in  that  case,  they  shall  report  accordingly. 

Sec.  8.  In  the  meetings  of  the  board,  they  shall  determine  the  general 
outline  of  the  operations  in  relation  to  such  works  of  internal  improvements 
as  may  be  authorized  by  law,  and  as  either  in  part  or  in  whole  may  be 
placed  under  their  direction  and  supervision ;  determining  questions  of 
importance  submitted  to  the  board  by  the  acting  commissioners  on  the 
respective  lines  or  works,  or  by  other  persons  connected  with  the  public 
works,  in  relation  thereto  ;  and  shall  examine  and  audit  accounts  relating 
to  the  expenditures  of  moneys  on  the  works  under  their  charge  and 
supervision  ;  make  estimates  of  the  probable  amount  of  funds  which  may, 
from  time  to  time,  be  required  to  meet  expenditures  in  the  prosecution 
thereof,  and  shall  enter  said  estimates  at  large  in  a  book  to  be  provided  for 
that  purpose ;  and  cause  authenticated  copies  thereof  to  be  served  on  the 
board  of  fund  commissioners,  in  due  time  to  enable  said  fund  commissioners 
to  provide  the  necessary  amount  of  funds  to  meet  the  payment  of  said 
estimates ;  and  shall,  also,  at  their  said  meetings,  make  out  the  reports 
of  their  proceedings,  which  shall  be  required  by  law  to  be  made  and  filed 
by  them ;  and  shall  attend  to  such  other  matters  and  things  as  shall  arise 
in  the  discharge  of  their  duties,  and  as  are  necessary  to  be  passed  upon  by 
the  board.  The  board  shall  also,  at  any  of  their  meetings,  whenever  the 
progress  and  situation  of  the  works  under  their  charge  shall  render  it 
necessary,  from  time  to  time,  agree  upon  and  assign  to  the  individual 
members  of  the  board,  in  special  charge,  a  specific  portion  or  division  of  the 
public  works  in  progress  ;  and  the  member  to  v/hom  any  such  specific 
portion  or  division  shall  be  assigned,  shall  superintend  the  same  as  acting 
commissioner  thereon,  under  the  general  direction  and  during  the  pleasure 
of  the  board  ;  and  shall  make  detailed  reports  to  the  board  of  his  proceedings^ 
at  its  semi-annual  meeting,  and  as  much  oftener  as  is  practicable  and 
convenient. 

Sec.  9.  The  board  shall  cause  to  be  kept  in  well  bound  books  to  be 
provided  for  the  purpose,  a  fair  and  complete  record  of  all  the  proceedings 
and  doings  of  the  board,  and  also  an  accurate  and  separate  account  of  all 
the  moneys  expended  by  them,  in  the  survey  and  construction  of  each 
respective  work  under  their  direction  ;  exhibiting,  also,  the  amounts  received 
by  the  board,  and  each  and  every  member  thereof,  to  be  applied  by  them, 
on  the  respective  works  under  their  direction  and  supervision  \  which  said 
books  shall  at  all  times  be  open  at  the  office  of  the  board,  to  the  inspection 
of  the  Governor,  auditor  of  public  accounts,  attorney  general,  members  of 
the  board  of  fund  commissioners,  and  members  of  the  General  Assembly  r 
and  to  such  other  authorities  as  the  Legislature  may,  from  time  to  time,, 
authorize  to  inspect  the  same. 

Sec.  10.  The  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  make, 
imder  their  hands,  semi-annual  reports  of  their  proceedings  to  the  Governor,. 


5  [  259  1 

or  person  administering  the  Government,  on  the  first  Mondays  in  June  and 
December,  or  within  thirty  days  thereafter  ;  which  reports  shall  contain  a 
detailed  statement  of  their  operations  and  proceedings  for  the  preceding  six 
months,  and  shall  exhibit  the  amount  of  moneys  received  and  expended  by 
the  board,  in  the  examination  and  survey  of  routes  and  locations  of  the 
public  works,  and  in  the  prosecution  and  constructien  thereof,  showing 
specifically  the  amount  expended  on  each  respective  work  up  to  that  date  ; 
which  reports,  or  an  outline  thereof,  the  Governor  shall  cause  to  be  forthwith 
published  in  some  newspaper  printed  and  published  at  the  seat  of  Government; 
and  shall  cause  all  said  reports  to  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary  of 
State  ;  and  shall  lay  a  certified  copy  thereof  before  the  General  Assembly,  on 
the  first  week  of  their  sessions,  or  as  soon  thereafter  as  the  same  may  be 
received  by  him,  And  if  the  said  board  shall  at  any  time  refuse  or  neglect 
to  make  any  semi-annual  reports  required  by  this  act,  or  any  other  reports 
hereafter  required  by  the  Legislature  to  be  made,  within  the  time  specified 
for  making  the  same,  the  members  of  the  said  board  so  refusing  or  neglecting 
to  make  such  reports,  shall  forever  thereafter  be  ineligible  to  re-election, 
and  moreover  shall  be  liable  to  impeachment  for  misdemeanor  in  office : 
Provided,  That  if  at  any  stated  meeting  of  the  board,  there  should  not  be 
a  quorum  in  attendance,  the  minority  met  may  make  a  report  of  the  facts 
within  their  knowledge,  relating  to  the  progress  of  the  works  and  the 
expenditures  thereon  ;  and  the  making  of  such  report  shall  exonerate  the 
said  minority  from  the  above  penalties:  And  provided,  also,  That  if  the 
absent  members  are  detained  from  the  meeting  of  the  board  by  sickness,  or 
other  causes  beyond  their  control,  they  also  may  exonorate  themselves  from 
the  above  penalties  by  rendering  to  the  Legislature  a  satisfactory  reason  for 
their  absence  from  the  board,  and  failure  to  join  in  such  report. 

Sec.  11.  The  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  have 
power  to  employ  such  engineers,  agents,  superintendents,  and  other  assist- 
ants as  the  interests  of  the  State  shall  in  their  opinion  demand,  to  enable 
them  to  discharge  the  duties  required  of  them  by  law  ;  and  to  pay  such 
engineers,  agents,  superintendents,  and  assistants  such  sums  as,  in  their 
opinion,  may  be  a  reasonable  compensation  for  the  services  they  may  per- 
form, and  to  remove  said  officers  at  pleasure :  Provided,  That  the  term  of 
any  appointments  made  by  the  board  shall  not  extend  more  than  sixty  days 
beyond  the  expiration  of  their  own  term  of  office  ;  and  the  said  board  shall 
also  have  authority  to  organize  their  corps  of  engineers,  by  the  appoint- 
ment of  principal  or  principals,  and  subordinates,  and  assign  to  each  their 
respective  and  appropriate  charges  and  duties,  in  such  maimer  as  the  said 
hoard  may  deem  the  interests  of  the  State  to  demand ;  and  shall  also  have 
authority  to  purchase  and  procure  such  mathematical  and  other  instru- 
ments, camps,  camp  equipage,  stationery,  supplies,  teams,  wagons,  and 
other  apparatus,  and  employ  so  many  laborers  and  assistants,  as  shall  be 
deemed  necessary  by  them,  to  insure  the  correct  and  efficient  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  the  engineering  department  of  the  public  works  ;  and  shall  and 
may  provide  such  offices  in  which  to  transact  the  business  of  the  board  and 
of  the  engineering  department,  as  they  may  deem  the  interest  of  the  State 
to  require. 

Sec.  12.  The  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  cause  such 
examinations  and  surveys  to  be  made  of  the  several  rivers,  which  may 
from  time  to  time  be  directed  by  law  to  be  improved,  to  ascertain  the  nature 
mid  extent  of  the  obstructions  and  impediments  to  the  navigation  thereof. 


[259]  6 

as  shall  be  necessary  to  enable  the  board  to  determine  upon  and  prosecute 
the  most  eligible  and  useful  plans  of  making  such  improvements ;  and 
shall  require  estimates  of  the  probable  costs  thereof,  under  the  oath  or 
affirmation  of  the  engineer  in  charge  of  making  the  respective  surveys 
and  examinations ;  and  shall  also  cause  minute  and  accurate  examinations 
and  surveys  to  be  made  of  the  proposed  routes  of  all  railroads  and  other 
contemplated  improvements  which  may  from  time  to  time  be  authorized  by 
law,  and  placed  under  the  charge,  supervision,  and  direction  of  the  board : 
and  before  placing  any  of  the  said  works  under  contract,  shall  require  of 
the  engineer  or  engineers  under  whose  direction  and  charge  the  said  ex- 
aminations and  surveys  were  made  and  executed,  respectively,  a  report 
of  said  examination  and  survey,  attested  by  the  oath  or  affirmation  of  the 
said  engineer  or  engineers,  describing  particularly  the  localities  and  nature 
of  the  routes  of  the  respective  railroads  and  other  improvements ;  the 
topography  of  the  country  over  which  it  may  pass  ;  the  facilities  for  obtain- 
ing materials  for  the  construction  of  the  work ;  with  such  other  informa- 
tion as  the  engineer  may  deem  to  be  useful  and  necessary,  or  which  he 
may  be  required  to  collect  and  report  by  an  order  of  the  board ;  which 
report  shall  be  accompanied  with  plans  and  profiles  of  the  route,  and  of 
the  mechanical  structures  proposed  to  be  constructed  thereon,  and  specifi- 
cations of  the  work  to  be  executed ;  together  with  minute  estimates  of  the 
probable  cost  thereof;  which  said  reports  shall  be  filed  by  the  secretary 
of  the  board,  and  shall  be  open  to  the  inspection  of  all  persons  desirous 
of  obtaining  contracts  on  the  route,  during  office  hours,  under  such  regu- 
lations and  restrictions  as  the  board  may  adopt,  to  preserve  the  original 
documents  from  loss  or  injury:  Provided.  That  the  board  may  exhibit 
manuscript  or  printed  copies  thereof,  in  lieu  of  the  originals. 

Sec.  13.  The  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  execute  the 
works  under  their  charge  and  supervision  by  contract:  Provided,  however  1 
That  whenever  any  job  will  not  admit  of  such  definite  specification  as  to 
enable  contractors  to  make  specific  bids  for  the  same,  or  when  jobs  are  too 
small  and  inconsiderable  to  justify  the  attention  of  contractors,  the  board 
or  acting  commissioner  on  the  line  may  cause  the  job  to  be  accomplished 
by  laborers  to  be  employed  and  paid  by  the  board  or  the  acting  commis- 
sioner. 

Sec.  14.  That  so  soon  as  any  work,  or  portion  or  division  thereof,  shall 
be  ready  to  be  placed  under  contract,  the  acting  commissioner,  to  whose 
special  charge  and  supervision  the  same  shall  have  been  assigned  by  the 
board,  agreeably  to  the  provisions  of  the  eighth  section  of  this  act.  shall 
give  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  letting,  by  advertisements  to  be  pub- 
lished in  at  least  five  newspapers  printed  in  this  State,  and  in  such  other 
newspapers  as  the  board'  may  deem  the  interests  of  the  State  to  demand, 
at  least  once  in  each  week  for  five  weeks  next  preceding  the  day  of  said 
lettings,  which  advertisements  shall  contain  a  brief  description  of  the  nature 
and  amount  of  work  which  will  be  offered  to  contractors,  and  shall  state 
the  time  within  which  contractors  will  be  required  to  commence  and  com- 
plete the  work ;  with  such  other  information  as  the  board  may  deem  ad- 
visable. The  bids  or  proposals  shall  be  sealed,  and  shall  state  a  specific 
and  definite  price  for  the  work  to  he  performed,  and  shall  be  received  by 
the  acting  commmissioner  on  the  work,  on.  or  at  any  time  previous  to,  the 
day  of  letting.  The  acting  commissioner  on  the  line,  and  at  least  one 
other  member  of  the  board,  together  with  the  principal  engineer  in  charge 


7  [259] 

of  the  work,  shall  attend  at  the  time  and  the  place  of  the  letting ;  and  the 
said  commissioners  shall,  at  the  hour  of  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  said  day,  close  the  further  receipt  of  proposals,  and  immediately  proceed 
to  open,  examine,  and  compare  the  several  bids  which  shall  have  been 
made  for  each  respective  job  of  work  proposed  to  be  let ;  and  shall  let  the 
same  to  the  lowest  responsible  bidder  or  bidders  therefor:  Provided,  That 
the  said  commissioners  shall  have  authority  to  refuse  any  and  all  bids, 
which,  in  the  opinion  of  said  commissioners  and  principal  engineer,  may 
be  deemed  exorbitant;  and  shall  and  may  proceed  to  re-advertise  and  let 
the  work  so  overbid,  at  such  time  and  place  as  the  board  may  think  most 
advisable  for  the  interests  of  the  State.  All  bids  and  proposals  for  work, 
received  by  any  commissioner,  shall  be  retained,  and  handed  over  to  the 
secretary  of  the  board,  who  shall  file  and  preserve  the  same.  Proposals  for 
contracts  to  furnish  and  deliver  materials  for  the  construction  of  works, 
may  be  received  in  such  manner,  and  upon  such  notice,  as  in  the  opinion 
of  the  board  may  be  most  expedient  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  State ; 
but  all  proposals  for  such  service  shall  be  received  in  writing,  and  filed  and 
preserved  in  like  manner  as  proposals  for  the  execution  of  work :  Prooided, 
That  negotiations  and  contracts  for  railroad  iron,  to  be  obtained  from 
foreign  countries,  may  be  carried  on  and  made  in  such  manner  as  the 
board  may  deem  best  calculated  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  State. 

Sec.  15.  All  contracts  shall  be  entered  into,  under  such  conditions  and 
reservations,  to  be  expressed  at  large  in  said  contracts,  as  shall  enable  and 
fully  authorize  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  to  declare  the 
same  to  have  been  abandoned  by  the  contractor  or  contractors,  in  all  cases 
where  the  work  shall  not  be  fully  commenced  at  the  time  and  according  to 
the  terms  of  said  contract;  and  also  in  cases  whenever,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  acting  commissioner  and  engineer  in  charge  of  the  work,  the  contractor 
or  contractors  shall  neglect  or  refuse  to  prosecute  his  contract  with  an 
assiduity  and  efficiency  that  shall  give  a  reasonable  assurance  to  the  said 
commissioner  and  engineer  of  its  uniform  progress,  and  final  completion, 
within  the  time  specified  in  the  said  contract:  or  when,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  principal  engineer,  said  contractor  shall  perform  the  work  imperfectly, 
and  shall  refuse  or  neglect  forthwith  to  remedy  such  imperfect  performance; 
and  the  job  so  declared  to  be  abandoned  may  forthwith  be  relet  by  the 
board,  without  the  let,  hindrance,  or  disturbance  of  the  former  contractor  or 
contractors,  or  of  any  person  or  persons  claiming  to  act  for  or  under  him  or 
them.  The  contracts  shall  also  contain  a  provision  prohibiting  the  sub- 
contracting of  jobs,  or  any  portion  thereof,  without  the  consent  of  the  board, 
under  the  penalty  of  a  forfeiture  of  contract,  and  of  all  retained  per  centage 
remaining  unpaid  thereon. 

Sec.  16.  The  contracts  shall  be  signed  and  sealed  by  the  acting  com- 
missioner on  the  work,  for  the  time  being,  on  the  part  and  behalf  of  the 
board,  and  shall  be  binding  on  the  State  ;  and  shall  also  be  signed  and 
sealed  by  the  contractor  or  contractors  ;  and  triplicate  copies  thereof  shall 
be  thus  executed.  One  of  said  copies  shall  be  retained  by  the  contractors  ; 
one  shall  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  auditor  of  public  accounts  ;  and  the 
other  filed  in  the  office  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  and 
recorded  by  the  secretary  of  the  board,  in  a  book  to  be  furnished  for  that 
purpose  ;  and  the  said  secretary  shall  furnish  the  acting  commissioner  with 
copies  of  said  contracts,  whenever  thereunto  required. 

Sec,  17.  During  the  progress  of  the  public  works,  fair  and  correct  esti- 


[  259  ]  8 

mates  of  the  probable  amount  of  work  actually  done  by  the  contractors,  on 
each  respective  job,  shall  be  made  by  the  engineer  in  charge  of  the  work,  or 
by  an  assistant  assigned  to  that  service,  at  stated  periods,  not  exceeding  two 
months  asunder;  and  there  shall  be  paid  to  the  contractor  a  sum  not  less 
than  sixty-seven  per  centum,  nor  more  than  eighty-five  per  centum  on  the 
amount  of  the  work  actually  performed,  at  the  discretion  of  the  acting 
commissioner  on  the  work  ;  and  the  balance  shall  be  retained  as  a  security 
to  the  State  for  the  faithful  performance  of  the  contract,  until  the  full  com- 
pletion thereof,  according  to  its  terms  ;  at  which  time  the  work  shall  be  ac- 
cepted, if  done  according  to  contract,  and  the  balance  in  full  shall  be  paid 
to  said  contractors  ;  and  the  acting  commissioner,  in  making  his  decision  as 
to  the  equitable  proportion  of  the  estimates  to  be  retained  as  security  for  the 
State,  shall  be  governed  by  the  diligence  and  efficiency  of  the  contractors 
in  the  prosecution  of  their  contracts ;  by  the  aggregate  amount  of  per 
centum  already  retained,  and  by  the  probable  risk  of  injury  to  the  unfin- 
ished works,  to  be  apprehended  from  freshets  or  other  casualties,  which  risk 
shall  rest  with  the  contractors  ;  and  in  the  event  of  any  contract  being  de- 
clared to  be  abandoned,  for  any  of  the  causes  mentioned  in  the  fifteenth 
section  of  this  act,  all  retained  per  centage  on  the  amount  of  estimates 
shall  be  forfeited  to  the  use  of  the  State.  Copies  of  all  estimates  made 
during  the  progress  of  the  work  as  above  directed,  shall  be  transmitted  to 
the  secretary  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  to  be  by  him 
filed  and  preserved  for  future  use  and  reference. 

Sec.  18.  The  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  is  hereby 
authorized  and  required  to  adopt  such  measures  as  may  be  necessary  to 
commence,  construct,  and  complete,  within  a  reasonable  length  of  time,  the 
following  works,  viz : 

First.  The  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Great  Wabash  river, 
in  that  part  of  the  same  over  which  the  States  of  Indiana  and  Illinois  have 
concurrent  jurisdiction,  for  which  improvement  the  sum  of  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated  ;  which  said  appropriation  the  said 
board  of  public  works  are  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  expend  in  said 
improvements,  in  conjunction  with  the  State  of  Indiana,  in  equal  amounts, 
and  for  like  objects.  And  the  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works 
are  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  co  operate  with  the  board  of  in- 
ternal improvement  of  Indiana,  or  with  such  other  authority  or  authori- 
ties of  said  State  as  are'  or  may  be  put  in  charge  of  the  expenditure  of  ap- 
propriations made  by  the  State  of  Indiana  for  the  improvement  of  said  river, 
in  the  survey  and  examinations  of  the  obstructions  to  the  navigation,  and 
in  the  location,  construction,  completion,  and  management  of  all  works,  at 
the  joint  and  equal  expense  of  both  States,  which,  by  the  joint  boards  or 
other  authorities  aforesaid,  may  be  deemed  of  the  greatest  utility,  to  render 
said  river  navigable  at  all  stages  of  water,  for  steam  and  other  boats  in  that 
part  of  the  said  river  above  specified  ;  and  also,  in  the  disposition,  use,  and 
management  of  the  water  powers  created  or  rendered  available  by  the  con- 
struction of  said  works  of  improvements.  And  the  said  board  of  commis- 
sioners of  public  works  are  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  enter  into 
an  agreement  and  compact  on  the  part  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  with  the 
board  of  internal  improvement  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  or  such  other  author- 
ity as  said  State  has  or  may  authorize  and  empower  to  enter  into  such 
agreement  and  compact  on  the  part  of  said  State  of  Indiana,  for  the  joint 
and  mutual  co-operation  of  the  two  States,  in  the  said  survey,  location^ 


9  [  259  ] 

•construction,  completion,  and  management  of  the  improvements  and  works 
hereby  contemplated  ;  and  for  the  joint  and  mutual  use  and  management 
of,  and  jurisdiction  over,  all  hydraulic  power  created  or  made  available 
thereby;  which  said  agreement  and  compact,  when  ratified  by  the  Gover- 
nor of  the  State  of  Indiana,  or  by  such  other  authority  as  the  said  State  of 
Indiana  may  authorize  to  ratify  the  same,  and  make  it  binding  on  the  said 
State,  shall  be  valid  and  binding  on  the  State  of  Illinois  :  Provided,  how- 
ever, That  if  there  should  be  any  incoherence  between  the  laws  of  Indiana 
and  of  this  State,  as  to  the  specific  mode  of  advertising  and  letting  contracts, 
and  of  paying  the  estimates  made  during  the  progress  of  the  work,  it  shall 
and  may  be  lawful  for  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  to  con- 
form to  the  mode  prescribed  by  the  laws  of  Indiana,  in  so  far  as  the  improve- 
ment of  the  Wabash  river  alone  may  be  concerned,  until  the  discrepances 
aforesaid  may  be  remedied  by  legislative  enactments,  or  by  the  contemplated 
compact  aforesaid  ;  anything  in  the  fourteenth  and  seventeenth  sections  of 
this  act  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.  And  it  is  hereby  made  the  duty 
of  the  Governor  of  this  State,  to  transmit  to  the  Governor  of  the  State  of 
Indiana,  as  soon  as  practicable,  after  the  passage  of  this  act,  a  certified 
copy  of  the  preceding  part  of  this  section  thereof. 

Second.  The  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  Illinois  river,  west  of 
the  third  principal  meridian,  for  which  the  sum  of  one  hundred  thousand 
dollars  is  hereby  appropriated ;  and  it  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  the  board 
of  commissioners  of  public  works  to  apply  and  expend  the  said  appropriation 
in  removing  or  overcoming  the  most  formidable  obstructions  and  barriers  to 
the  steamboat  navigation  in  the  said  river,  and  to  adopt  and  prosecute  such 
plans  for  said  improvements,  as  in  their  best  judgments  will  be  most  bene- 
ficial and  efficient  to  render  the  said  river  navigable  for  steam  and  other 
boats,  at  all  stages  of  water  therein. 

Third.  The  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  Rock  river,  for  which  the 
sum  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated  ;  and  the  board 
of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  apply  and  expend  the  said  appro- 
priation in  removing  or  overcoming  the  most  formidable  obstructions  to 
the  steamboat  navigation  in  the  said  river ;  and  shall  commence  their 
operations  and  expenditures,  by  removing  or  overcoming  the  obstructions 
of  the  above  descriptions,  which  are  nearest  to  the  mouth  of  the  said  river  ; 
and  shall  progress  thence  up  stream  with  said  improvements,  so  far  as  the 
said  appropriation  will  extend  ;  and  the  said  board  may  adopt  and  execute 
such  plans  for  said  improvements,  as  in  their  judgment  will  be  best  calcu- 
lated to  render  the  said  river  navigable  for  steam,  keel,  and  other  boats,  of 
the  description  and  dimensions  suited  to  said  river  in  its  course  within  the 
jurisdiction  of  this  State ;  having  due  regard  to  the  permanency  of  the 
structures  they  may  erect,  and  to  the  greatest  and  most  useful  amount  of 
water  powers  to  be  created  or  made  available  thereby  for  the  use  of  the 
State. 

Fourth.  The  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Kaskaskia  river,  for 
which  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated;  and  the 
said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  are  hereby  authorized  and  re- 
quired to  apply  and  expend  the  said  appropriation  on  the  said  river,  on  im- 
provements adapted  to  steamboat,  keel-boat,  and  flat-boat  navigation,  and  to 
commence  the  line  of  said  improvements,  at  the  obstruction  to  said  naviga- 
tion nearest  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  to  progress  upwards,  giving  the 
low  water  channel  in  the  said  river,  at  the  shoalest  places  therein,  a  con- 


[  259  ]  10 

venient  and  uniform  depth  for  the  uninterrupted  passage  of  keel  and  fiat- 
boats,  and  of  steamboats  of  such  dimensions,  as  in  the  judgment  of  the  board 
will  be  best  adapted  to  the  navigation  of  the  said  river  ;  and  shall  also  re- 
move such  timber  obstructions  to  the  navigation  as  may  be  deemed  injuri- 
ous or  dangerous  to  the  said  navigation  ;  and  the  said  board,  in  adopting 
and  executing  their  plans  for  the  said  improvements,  shall  have  a  due  regard 
to  the  greatest  and  most  useful  amount  of  water  power,  to  be  created  or 
rendered  thereby  for  the  use  of  the  State,  as  a  proper  and  economical  loca- 
tion and  construction  of  the  works  will  admit  of:  Provided,  Said  board  of 
commissioners  of  public  works  shall  equalize  the  expenditure  of  said  fifty 
thousand  dollars,  as  near  as  may  be,  on  all  portions  of  said  river,  susceptible 
of  improvement  from  its  junction  with  the  Mississippi,  upwards,  in  remov- 
ing the  obstructions  from  its  channel,  in  making  short  cuts  across  the  bends, 
and  in  clearing  off  the  trees  from  the  margin  of  the  same. 

Fifth.  The  improvement  of  the  navigation  of  the  Little  Wabash  river, 
for  which  the  sum  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated ;  and  the 
said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  are  hereby  authorized  and  em- 
powered to  expend  and  apply  the  said  appropriation  in  the  improvement  of 
the  navigation  of  the  said  river,  in  such  manner  as  they  shall  deem  most 
advisable  for  the  public  good,  to  render  the  navigation  thereof  safe  and  prac- 
ticable for  steam,  keel,  and  flat-boats,  and  the  said  board  shall  have  due  regard 
to  the  greatest  and  most  useful  amount  of  water  power  to  be  created  by  the 
works  they  may  erect  for  the  improvement  of  the  said  river  for  the  use  of 
the  State.  And  the  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  in  the 
construction  of  dams  across  any  of  the  rivers  aforesaid,  are  hereby  author- 
ized to  construct  and  keep  in  repair  suitable  chutes  in  the  said  dams,  for 
the  accommodation  of  the  ordinary  flat-boats,  and  others  descending  navi- 
gation in  the  rivers,  whensoever,  in  their  opinion,  the  costs  and  practica- 
bility of  construction,  and  the  interests  of  the  State,  will  justify  the  con- 
struction and  maintenance  thereof. 

Sixth.  Two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  of  the  first  loans  to  be 
effected  under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  are  hereby  appropriated  ;  and  shall 
be  expended,  under  the  directions  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public 
works,  on  the  great  western  mail  route,  leading  from  Vincennes  to  St. 
Louis,  as  follows,  viz  :  Thirty  thousand  dollars  on  that  part  thereof  lying  be- 
tween Vincennes  and  Lawrenceville,  embracing  what  is  commonly  called  the 
V Purgatory  swamp."  Fifteen  thousand  dollars  on  the  Little  Wabash  river 
bottom,  between  the  Big  Muddy  branch  thereof  and  the  main  river,  at 
McCawley's  bridge,  in  Clay  county.  Thirty  thousand  dollars  on  that  part 
of  said  road  lying  between  the  Bluffs  and  the  Mississippi  river,  in  the  coun- 
ty of  St.  Clair ;  and  the  residue  of  said  appropriation  shall  be  expended  in 
bridging  and  repairing  said  mail  route,  as  equally  as  practicable,  on  other 
parts  thereof;  and  the  said  board  of  public  works  are  authorized  to  erect 
and  have  kept,  toll  gates  on  any  portion  of  said  route,  on  which  the  said 
appropriatfon  may  in  part  be  expended,  as  they  may  deem  proper,  and 
establish  such  reasonable  rates  of  toll  thereon,  as  in  their  opinion  will  pro- 
tect the  rights  of  the  State,  and  not  be  burdensome  to  the  people. 

Seventh.  A  railroad  from  the  city  of  Cairo,  at  or  near  the  confluence  of 
the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers,  to  some  point  at  or  near  the  southern  ter- 
mination of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal,  via  Vandalia,  Shelbyville. 
Decatur,  and  Bloomington5  and  from  thence  via  Savannah  to  Galena  ;  for 


II  f  259  ] 

the  construction  and  completion  of  said  railroad  and  appendages,  the  sum 
of  three  million  and  five  hundred  thousand  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated. 

Eighth.  A  southern  cross  railroad  from  Alton  to  Mount  Carmel  via  Ed- 
wardsville,  Carlyle,  Salem,  Fairfield  and  Albion  ;  and  also  a  railroad  from 
Alton  to  Shawneetown,  to  diverge  from  the  aforesaid  southern  cross-railroad, 
at  or  near  Edvvardsville,  and  thence  from  said  diverging  point  via  Leba- 
non, in  St.  Clair  county,  Nashville,  in  Washington  county,  Pickneyville, 
in  Perry  county,  Frankfort,  in  Franklin  county,  and  Equality,  in  Gallatin 
county;  for  the  construction  and  completion  of  which  said  railroads  and  ap- 
pendages, the  sum  of  one  millioH  and  six  hundred  thousand  dollars  are 
hereby  appropriated. 

Ninth.  The  northern  cross  railroad,  from  Gtuincy,  on  the  Mississippi 
river,  via  Columbus  and  Clayton,  in  Adams  county,  Mount  Sterling,  in 
Schuyler  county.  Meredosia  and  Jacksonville,  in  Morgan  county,  Spring- 
field, in  Sangamon  county,  Decatur,  in  Macon  county,  Sidney,  in  Cham- 
paign county,  and  Danville,  in  Vermillion  county,  and  thence  to  the  State 
line,  in  the  direction  of  Lafayette,  Indiana,  which  railroad  shall  cross  the 
Sangamon  river  at  some  eligible  point  below  the  north  and  south  forks 
thereof;  for  the  construction  and  completion  of  which  said  railroad  and  ap- 
pendages, the  sum  of  one  million  eight  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars 
is  hereby  appropriated,  exclusive  of  the  necessary  sum  for  constructing  a 
bridge  over  the  Illinois  river,  to  be  appropriated  whenever  the  said  bridge 
may  be  authorized  by  the  Legislature. 

Tenth.  A  branch  of  the  central  railroad,  to  commence  at  some  eligible 
point  on  said  road  where  a  direct  line  from  Hillsborough  to  Shelbyville 
would  intersect,  the  same,  or  within  one  mile  of  the  said  point  of  inter- 
section, and  to  run  from  thence  via  Shelbyville,  in  Shelby  county,  Charles- 
ton, in  Coles  county,  Paris,  in  Edgar  county,  and  thence  to  the  State  line 
in  a  general  direction  for  Terre  Haute,  Indiana;  for  the  construction  of 
which  said  branch  railroad,  and  appendages,  the  sum  of  six  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated  :  and  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the 
"  Alton,  Wabash,  and  Erie  Railroad  Company,"  incorporated  January  16, 
1836,  to  connect  the  westerly  end  of  their  proposed  railroad  at  its  point 
of  commencement  on  the  Central  railroad,  with  the  said  branch  railroad, 
on  such  terms  and  conditions  as  is  provided  in  this  act,  for  making  such 
connexions ;  and  the  said  company  are  hereby  exonerated  from  all  liability 
to  construct  so  much  of  their  proposed  railroad  as  lies  east  of  the  Central 
road  :  Provided,  That  said  company  or  corporators  release  to  the  State,  in 
the  manner  hereinafter  provided,  all  claims  under  their  charters,  to  con- 
struct said  eastern  end  thereof;  and,  also, 

Eleventh.  A  railroad  from  Peoria,  in  Peoria  county,  via  Canton,  in  Ful- 
ton county.  Macomb,  in  McDonough  county,  Carthage,  in  Hancock  county, 
to  Warsaw,  on  the  Mississippi  river ;  for  the  construction  of  which  said 
railroad  and  its  appendages,  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  thousand  dollars  is 
hereby  appropriated. 

Twelfth.  A  railroad  from  Lower  Alton,  via  Upper  Alton  and  Hills- 
borough, to  the  Central  railroad,  so  as  to  intersect  the  railroad  from  Terre 
Haute  to  the  same  ;  and  the  sum  of  six  hundred  thousand  dollars  is  hereby 
appropriated  for  the  completion  of  the  same. 

Thirteenth.  A  railroad  from  Belleville  via  Lebanon,  to  intersect  the  rail- 
road from  Alton  to  Mount  Carmel.  at  the  nearest  and  most  eligible  point  on 


[259]  12 

said  road;  and  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars  is  hereby 
appropriated  for  the  completion  of  the  same. 

Fourteenth.  A  railroad  from  Bloomington,  in  McLean  county,  to  Macki- 
naw town,  in  Tazewell  county,  to  diverge  a  fork  at  said  Mackinaw  town  ; 
one  branch  or  fork  of  said  railroad  to  run  to  the  Illinois  river,  and  con- 
nect with  the  Peoria  and  Warsaw  railroad,  at  Peoria  ;  and  the  other  branch 
to  run  through  Tremont  to  Pekin  ;  for  which  the  sum  of  three  hundred 
and  fifty  thousand  dollars  is  hereby  appropriated. 

Fifteenth.  There  shall  be  appropriated  the  sum  of  two  hundred  thou- 
sand dollars  of  the  first  moneys  that  shall  be  obtained  under  the  pro- 
visions of  this  act,  to  be  drawn  by  the  several  counties  in  a  ratable  pro- 
portion to  the  census  last  made,  through  which  no  railroad  or  canal  is 
provided  to  be  made  at  the  expense  or  cost  of  the  State  of  Illinois ; 
which  said  money  shall  be  expended  in  the  improvement  of  roads,  con- 
structing bridges,  and  other  public  works. 

Sec.  19.  Nothing  contained  in  the  seventh,  eighth,  ninth,  tenth,  and 
eleventh  articles  of  the  foregoing  sections  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  au- 
thorize and  render  necessary  the  expenditure  of  the  whole  of  any  of  the 
said  appropriations,  on  the  respective  works,  for  the  construction  of  which 
the  several  appropriations  are  made,  unless  the  whole  amount  shall  be 
requisite  to  construct  the  same,  in  the  general  manner  and  according  to 
the  general  plan  specified  in  this  act ;  and  any  surplus  of  any  or  either 
of  the  said  appropriations  not  needed  in  the  completion  of  the  said  several 
works  and  appendages  thereof,  including  the  necessary  machines,  and 
motive  powers  to  put  the  same  into  full  and  -complete  operation,  and  fit- 
ted to  accommodate  the  trade,  transportation,  and  travel  thereupon ;  and 
the  establishment  of  depots,  store-houses,  and  other  buildings,  weighing 
machines,  and  other  apparatus  necessary  thereto,  shall  be  deemed  an  un- 
expended balance  of  said  appropriation,  and  be  subject  to  future  appropri- 
ation by  the  Legislature. 

Sec.  20.  That,  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  the  several  works  of  in- 
ternal improvement  contemplated  by  this  act,  there  shall  be  constituted  a 
fund  for  internal  improvements,  which  shall  consist  of  all  moneys  which 
shall  and  may  be  raised  by  the  sale  of  stocks  or  State  bonds,  or  in  any 
other  manner  by  virtue  of  loans  authorized  by  law  ;  and  of  all  appropria- 
tions which  may  be  made  from  time  to  time  out  of  the  revenue  of  the 
State  arising  from  land  taxes ;  and  of  all  moneys  arising  and  to  be  de- 
rived from  the  tolls  and  water,  and  other  rents  of  all  the  said  works  of 
internal  improvements;  and  of  all  rents,  issues,  and  profits,  arising  from 
the  lands  purchased  or  entered  by  the  State  for  the  purpose  of  promoting 
and  aiding  in  the  construction  and  completion  of  said  works,  either  by  leas- 
ing or  selling  the  same;  >and  of  the  proceeds  of  all  lands  which  maybe 
donated  by  the  General  Government  in  aid  of  internal  improvements  in 
this  State  ;  and  of  all  grants  or  donations  which  may  be  received  from 
individuals,  companies,  corporations,  or  the  General  Government,  to  aid 
in  the  completion  of  said  works;  and,  also,  all  the  profits  and  interests 
which  may  accrue  from  the  said  works,  in  any  manner  whatsoever,  to- 
gether with  the  balance  (after  paying  the  debt  due  from  the  Stat*?,  to  the 
school,  college,  and  seminary  funds)  of  the  moneys  to  be  received  from  the 
Treasury  of  the  United  States  under  the  provisions  and  operation  of  an 
act  of  Congress,  providing  for  a  distribution  of  the  surplus  revenue  of 
the  United" States  by  depositing  the  same  with  the  several  States  ;  which 


13  [  259  j 

amount  of  said  deposite  so  funded  shall  be  charged  to  the  said  fund  fur 
internal  improvement,  and  repaid  out  of  the  same,  when  the  said  deposite 
shall  be  demanded  by  the  General  Government;  and  together  with  all 
net  profits  to  arise  from  bank, and  other  stocks  hereafter  to  be  sub- 
scribed for  and  owned  by  this  State,  after  liquidating  the  interest  on 
loans  contracted  for  the  purchase  of  such  bank  or  other  stocks. 

Sec.  21.  The  board  of  fund  commissioners  are  hereby  authorized  and 
required,  on  the  part  and  behalf  of  this  State,  to  contract  with  any  individ- 
ual, company,  or  corporation,  at  such  time  as  the  said  board  may  find  it 
necessary  to  meet  the  re-payment  of  the  aforesaid  deposite  of  the  General 
Government,  or  the  payment  of  other  legitimate  demands  upon  the  funds 
for  internal  improvements,  and  at  such  times  as  they  may  be  advised  by 
the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  that  the  same  will  be  needed 
in  the  purchase  of  lands,  or  prosecution  of  the  works  under  their  charge,  su- 
pervision, or  direction,  for  a  loan  or  loans,  from  time  to  time,  in  all  not  ex- 
ceeding the  sum  of  eight  millions  of  dollars,  on  the  faith  of  this  State  ; 
which  said  loan  or  loans  shall  bear  an  interest,  not  exceeding  six  per  cent, 
per  annum,  payable  semi-annually,  at  the  treasury  of  this  State,  or  at  some 
bank  or  banks  in  the  cities  of  Boston,  New- York,  or  Philadelphia,  as  may 
be  agreed  upon,  and  the  principal  of  which  to  be  reimburseable  at  the 
pleasure  of  the  State,  at  any  time  after  the  first  day  of  January,  Anno 
Domini  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  seventy,  and  to  be  so  negotiated 
that  the  proceeds  may  be  drawn  for,  and  bear  interest  at  any  time  as  early 
as  practicable,  when  the  board  of  fund  commissioners  may  be  advised  by 
the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  that  said  money  will  be  re- 
quired for  the  progress  of  any  of  the  works  of  internal  improvements,  for 
the  construction  of  which  said  funds  are  appropriated  by  this  act,  and  the 
said  board  of  fund  commissioners  shall  issue  for  said  loans,  transferable 
certificates,  to  be  denominated  "certificates  of  Illinois  internal  improve- 
ment stock,"  in  the  name  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  which,  when  signed  by 
the  members  of  the  said  board,  or  by  a  majority  of  them,  and  counter- 
signed by  the  auditor  of  public  accounts  of  this  State,  shall  be  valid  and 
binding  on  this  State;  and  to  facilitate  the  purposes  herein  contemplated, 
the  said  board  of  fund  commissioners  shall  have  power  to  make  such  ar- 
rangements relative  to  obtaining  the  loans,  the  payment  of  interest  thereon, 
and  the  transmission  and  deposite  of  the  money  arising  therefrom,  as  they 
may  deem  conducive  to  the  best  interests  of  the  State,  as  shall  not  be  in- 
consistent with  the  provisions  of  this  act,  or  of  any  subsequent  act  of  the 
Legislature  in  relation  thereto. 

Sec.  22.  For  the  punctual  payment  of  the  interest,  and  final  redemption 
of  the  principal,  of  all  sums  of  money  which  may  be  borrowed  under  the 
provisions  of  this  act,  there  shall  be  and  hereby  are  irrevocably  pledged 
and  appropriated,  all  the  interest  and  claim  of  the  State  of  Illinois  in  all 
the  works  of  internal  improvements,  to  the  construction  of  which,  either  in 
whole  or  in  part,  the  moneys  loaned  under  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall 
have  been  appropriated  and  expended,  together  with  all  lands,  waters,  and 
water  powers  thereunto  appertaining,  and  the  privileges  thereby  created, 
and  the  rents,  issues,  and  profits  thereof,  together  with  the  net  proceeds  of 
all  tolls  collected  thereon,  for  the  sufficiency  of  which  to  pay  the  interest 
and  principal  of  the  said  loans,  as  the  same  shall  become  due  and  payable, 
the  State  of  Illinois  doth  hereby  irrevocably  guarantee,  and  for  which  pay- 


[  259  ]  14 

ments  and  redemption,  well  and  truly  to  be  made  and  effected,  the  faith  of 
the  State  of  Illinois  is  hereby  irrevocably  pledged. 

Sec.  23.  All  moneys  which  may  be  received  by  the  board  of  fund  com- 
missioners, or  either  member  thereof,  from  the  proceeds  of  loans,  or  other- 
wise, under  the  provisions  of  this  or  any  subsequent  act  of  the  Legislature, 
as  soon  as  conveniently  may  be  after  the  receipt  of  the  same,  be  deposited 
by  them  in  some  safe  bank  or  banks,  to  be  selected  by  the  board  of  fund 
commissioners,  and  to  be  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  board  of  fund  commis- 
sioners of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  shall  make  such  contracts  with  the  said 
bank  or  banks,  for  the  reception  and  payment  of  the  said  deposites,  on  such 
terms  and  conditions  as  will  best  tend  to  make  the  said  sums  as  productive 
as  practicable  to  the  fund  to  which  it  may  belong,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
insure  the  prompt  payment  of  all  drafts  which  may  become  necessary  to  be 
drawn  by  the  board  to  meet  the  expenditures  on  the  public  works  in  pro- 
gress, or  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  lands,  and  for  the  payment  of  inter- 
est on  loans  ;  and  upon  the  further  condition,  to  be  expressed  in  the  con- 
tract with  the  said  bank  or  banks,  that  the  cashier  or  president  thereof  shall 
deliver,  or  transmit  by  mail  or  otherwise,  to  the  auditor  of  public  accounts 
of  this  State,  monthly  statements  of  the  accounts  of  the  said  board  of  fund 
commissioners  of  Illinois,  as  the  same  shall  stand  upon  the  books  of  the 
bank,  on  the  last  day  of  every  month ;  and  it  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of 
the  said  auditor  of  public  accounts  to  receive  and  file  said  statements  in 
his  office,  and  to  give  notice  to  any  of  said  deposite  banks  of  the  failure  to 
receive  from  the  said  banks  any  of  the  said  monthly  statements,  whenever 
delayed  beyond  a  reasonable  period  ;  and  in  order  to  enable  the  said  auditor 
to  discharge  said  duties,  the  board  of  fund  commissioners  shall  notify  the 
auditor  of  public  accounts  whenever  the  said  board  shall  open  an  account 
with  any  bank,  under  the  provisions  of  this  section,  and,  also,  of  the  time 
of  closing  any  such  accounts. 

Sec.  24.  The  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  furnish  the 
acting  commissioners  on  the  respective  lines  of  the  public  works  with  the 
necessary  funds  to  prosecute  the  works  under  their  charge  and  supervision, 
respectively  :  and  for  that  purpose  shall  give  drafts  from  time  to  time,  on  the 
board  of  fund  commissioners,  signed  by  the  president,  or  president  pro  tem- 
pore, for  the  time  being,  and  countersigned  by  the  secretary  of  the  board, 
payable  to  the  order  of  the  said  acting  commissioner,  and  specifying  on  the 
face  of  said  draft    the   particular   work  to   which  the  amount  thereof 
is  to  be  applied ;    which  said  drafts,   when  endorsed  by  the  said  acting 
commissioner,  in  his    official  capacity,    shall  be    paid  by  the  board  of 
fund  commissioners,  subject,  however,  to  the  provisions  and  restrictions 
contained  in  the  fifth  section  of  this  act ;  and  also  under  such  other  rules, 
regulations,  and  restrictions,  as  the  said  board  of  fund  commissioners  may 
deem  necessary  for  its  security   and  proper   application  :  Provided,  That 
whenever  it  may  be  necessary  to  pay  any  contractor  or  other  person,  com- 
pany, or  corporation,  a  large  sum  of  money  for  work  performed,  materials 
furnished,  lands  purchased,  or  for  other  legitimate  purposes,  for  carrying 
into  effect  the  objects  of  this  act,  said  payments  may  be  made  directly  to 
such  persons,  companies,  or  corporations,  by  a  draft  drawn  on  the  board  of 
fund  commissioners,  payable  to  the  person,  company,   or  corporation,   enti- 
tled to  receive  the  same,  which  draft  shall  be  signed  by    the  president,   or 
^resident  pro  tempore,  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  and 
by  at  least  one,  and  by  as  many  other  commissioners  as  there  are  amounts 


15  [  259  ] 

o(  twenty  thousand  dollars  included  in  the  amount  of  said  draft,  and  shall 
be  countersigned  by  the  secretary  of  the  board  ;  which  draft  shall  specify  the 
objects  for  which  it  is  drawn,  and  to  the  particular  work,  to  the  account  of 
which  it  is  to  be  charged  ;  and  shall  be  paid  by  the  said  board  of  fund  com- 
missioners, on  presenting  to  said  board,  under  such  regulations  as  they 
may  establish  for  the  payment  of  such  special  drafts  ;  and  the  amounts  of 
the  last  description  of  drafts  shall  not  be  deemed  by  the  board  of  fund  com- 
missioners to  be  remaining  in  the  hands  of  the  commissioner  of  public 
works,  signing  the  same,  in  contemplation  of  the  said  fifth  section  of  this  act. 

Sec.  25.  The  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  cause  ah 
moneys  coming  to  their  hands,  or  to  the  hands  of  the  respective  acting 
commissioners,  io  be  expended,  in  the  most  economical  manner,  on  the  works 
of  internal  improvements  authorized  by  law,  and  placed  under  their  charge 
and  supervision,  and  on  none  others,  nor  for  any  other  objects  excepting 
such  as  are  specified  in  this  act;  at  such  times  and  places,  and  in  such 
sums  as  they  may  deem  most  judicious  and  conducive  to  the  general  public 
jjood  ;  having  in  view  a  prudential  distribution  of  the  available  labor  of  the 
State,  over  and  upon  all  the  various  works  authorized  to  be  constructed,  as 
shall  tend  in  as  small  a  degree  as  possible  to  increase  the  prices  of  labor 
and  provisions,  beyond  a  reasonable  amount,  in  any  one  section  of  the 
State ;  and  having  also  in  view  a  fair  and  equitable  uniform  progress  of  all 
of  the  said  works,  at  the  same  period  of  time.  And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  to  commence  the  different 
portions  of  the  railroads  at  their  intersection  and  connexion  with  navigable 
streams,  and  to  progress  from  said  streams,  in  both  directions,  in  order  that 
the  roads  may  become  productive  of  revenue,  as  early  as  possible  :  Pro- 
vided, That  nothing  herein  contained  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent 
the  said  commissioners  from  prosecuting  and  putting  into  operation  any 
portions  of  the  said  railroads,  in  the  interior,  and  remote  from  naviga- 
ble water  courses,  whenever  they  may.  deem  the  interest  of  the  State  to 
demand  it,  and  particularly  in  both  directions  from  important  trading  towns 
on  their  routes. 

Sec.  26.  The  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  are  hereby 
authorized  and  empowered,  so  soon  as  any  portions  of  the  said  public  works 
shall  be  so  far  completed  as  to  be  capable  of  use.  to  provide  the  requisite 
machines  and  motive  power  to  put  the  same  into  operation,  undersuch  rules 
and  regulations  as  the  said  board  may  think  expedient  to  adopt ;  and  to  es- 
tablish such  tolls,  and  to  adopt  such  measures  to  secure  the  faithful  collection 
and  payment  thereof  to  the  board  of  fund  commissioners,  as  they  may  deem 
most  advisable,  to  promote  the  objects  intended  by  this  act. 

Sec.  27.  It  is  hereby  made  the  express  duty  of  the  board  of  commission- 
ers of  public  works,  by  one  or  more  of  its  members,  to  proceed,  in  early  and 
due  time,  along  the  lines  of  the  several  railroads  and  other  works  herein 
authorized  to  be  constructed,  and  take  from  the  several  individuals,  compa- 
nies, and  corporations,  through  whose  lands  the  said  contemplated  works 
may  probably  pass,  or  which  may  be  contiguous  to  the  routes  thereof, 
grants  and  releases  to  the  State  of  the  necessary  land,  timber,  stone,  and 
other  materials  necessary  for  the  purpose  of  constructing  any  or  all  of  said 
works,  or  for  maintaining  and  repairing  the  same,  and  also  for  building 
ground  for  the  construction  of  mills  or  other  hydraulic  machinery,  to  be  pro- 
pelled by  the  water  powers  created  by  said  works  ;  and,  also,  for  the  purpose  of 
erecting  ware-houses,  engine  houses,  workshops,  and  other  necessary  build- 


[259]  16 

ings  ;  and  also  such  plats  of  ground  as  shall  be  deemed  necessary  for  de- 
pots and  stopping  stages,  atthe  ends  and  along  the  routes  of  the  said  railways  ; 
and  also  all  such  sites  for  dams  and  locks,  and  other  works  to  be  by  them 
erected,  under  the  provisions  of  this  act ;  and  also  to  enter  and  purchase  in 
the  name  and  on  behalf  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  any  lands  belonging  to  the 
General  Government,  or  to  individuals,  companies,  or  corporations,  which 
will  or  probably  may  be  necessary  for  any  of  the  purposes  above  mention- 
ed. Releases  and  conveyances  shall  be  taken  in  the  name  of  the  State  of 
Illinois,  and  shall  operate  to  vest  in  the  said  State  a  full  and  complete  right 
to  enter  upon,  use,  and  take  the  said  lands,  materials,  and  privileges  thereby 
granted,  at  any  and  all  times  thereafter. 

Sec.  28.  It  shall  be  lawful  for  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public 
works,  and  each  of  the  members  thereof,  by  themselves  or  by  any  superin- 
tendent, agent,  or  engineer,  employed  by  them,  to  enter  upon  and  take  pos- 
session of  and  use  all  and  singular  any  lands,  streams,  and  materials  of  any 
and  every  description,  for  the  location,  prosecution,  and  completion  of  the 
improvements  contemplated  by  this  act ;  and  all  plats  of  land  as  shall  be 
necessary  for  the  convenient  and  profitable  use  of  water  powers  created 
thereby,  and  for  the  location  of  depots  and  stopping  stages,  at  the  ends  and 
along  the  route  of  any  line  of  railroad  :  and  for  the  purpose  of  construct- 
ing any  bridge,  dam,  lock,  canal,  side  cut,  or  other  river  improvement,  and 
upon  which  to  erect  such  and  so  many  lock  houses,  warehouses,  engine 
houses,  work  shops,  and  other  buildings,  as  shall  be  necessary  to  carry  into 
full  effect  the  objects  contemplated  by  this  act,  whenever,  and  in  all  cases, 
any  of  the  aforesaid  lands  or  privileges  cannot  be  obtained  by  the  volun- 
tary grant  or  release  of  the  owner  or  owners  thereof,  avoiding  in  all  cases 
unnecessary  damage  and  injury  to  private  property. 

Sec.  29.  That  when  any  person  or  persons,  company  or  corporation, 
whose  lands,  waters,  or  materials,  shall  have  been  taken  and  used  in  the 
manner  and  for  any  of  the  purposes  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  section, 
shall  feel  aggrieved  by  the  taking  and  using  the  same  for  the  use  of  the  State, 
by  the  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  the  owner  or  owners 
of  said  property  shall  have  redress  and  remuneration  for  the  injury  or  sup- 
posed injury,  in,  the  manner  prescribed,  and  under  the  provisions  of  an  act 
entitled  4i  An  act  concerning  the  right  of  way,  and  for  other  purposes,"  ap- 
proved February  28th,  1833  :  Provided,  That  the  justice  of  the  peace  sum- 
moning the  householders  to  act  as  appraisers  in  the  case,  shall  choose  the 
said  householders  with  a  view  to  their  capacity  and  integrity,  and  who  shall 
not  be  directly  or  indirectly  interested  in  the  result  of  the  decision  to  be 
made  by  them,  and  who  shall,  in  addition  to  the  oath  required  to  be  admin- 
istered to  them  by  the  said  recited  act,  swear  or  affirm  tiiat  they  are  not  in- 
terested, either  directly  or  indirectly,  in  the  lands  or  other  property  in  con- 
troversy, nor  in  any  other  lands,  waters,  or  materials,  likely  to  be  required 
by  the  State,  in  the  construction  of  any  of  the  public  works  authorized  to  be 
constructed,  and  that  they  have  not  any  present  intention  of  becoming  so 
interested  ;  and  the  damages  to  be  fixed  and  awarded  by  the  said  house- 
holders shall  be  paid  by  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  to  the 
owner  or  owners  of  the  property  so  taken,  or  to  their  legal  representatives  ; 
which  decision  and  payment  of  damages,  shall  operate  to  vest  in  the  State 
of  Illinois  all  such  lands,  waters,  privileges,  and  materials,  as  fully  and  to 
all  intents  and  purposes,  as  if  the  same  had  been  granted  or  released  to  the 
State  by  the  owner  or  owners  of  said  property :  Provided,  That  either 


17  [  259  j 

party  may  take  an  appeal  from  the  said  decision  before  the  justice  of  the 
peace,  to  the  circuit  court  of  the  judicial  circuit  in  which  the  lands  or  other 
property  may  be  situated,  within  such  time,  and  in  such  manner  and  form, 
as  near  as  may  be,  as  shall  be  allowed  by  law  in  other  cases  before  justices 
of  the  peace  ;  and  the  said  justice  shall  recognise  any  member  or  the  board 
of  public  works,  or  any  agent,  superintendent,  or  engineer,  employed  by 
the  said  board,  and  who  may  appear  in  the  case  on  the  part  of  the  State,  as 
the  party  authorized  to  act  in  the  case  for  the  State,  and  no  appeal  bond 
shall  be  required  to  be  filed,  by  the  person  so  authorized  to  appear  and  act 
for  the  State,  on  any  such  appeal  to  be  applied  for  by  them,  any  law  or  prac- 
tice to  the  contrary,  notwithstanding.  And  in  no  case  shall  the  pendency 
of  any  petition,  suit,  or  appeal,  between  the  State  and  the  said  owner  of  pro- 
perty, operate  to  delay  or  hinder  the  progress  and  completion  of  any  of  the 
works  authorized  by  this  act. 

Sec.  30.  That  whenever  any  lands,  waters,  privileges  or  materials  ne- 
cessary to  be  taken  and  used  for  the  construction  of  any  of  the  aforesaid 
works  shall  belong  to  minors,  feme  coverts,  persons  who  are  non  compos 
mentis,  or  non-residents  of  the  State,  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  board 
of  commissioners  of  public  works,  or  any  member  thereof,  to  file  a  petition 
in  the  office  of  the  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  of  the  county  in  which  said 
lands  or  other  property  may  lie,  stating  all  the  facts  in  the  case,  as  are  with- 
in the  knowledge  of  the  petitioner,  and  describing  the  land,waters,  privileges, 
and  materials,  which  it  has  become  necessary  to  take  and  use  for  the  State' 
in  the  construction  of  any  work,  and  the  said  circuit  court,  setting  and  act- 
ing as  a  court  of  chancery,  shall  make  such  orders  in  the  case,  and  make 
and  enforce  the  execution  of  such  decrees  in  the  premises,  as  shall  appear  to 
said  court,  upon  a  full  hearing  of  the  facts  of  the  case,  to  be  just  and  equi- 
table, being  governed  in  its  decisions  by  the  principles  for  valuation  laid  down 
in  the  act  concerning  right  of  way,  cited  in  the  foregoing  section  of  this  act. 

Sec.  31.  The  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  are  hereby 
authorized  and  required  to  enter  and  purchase,  for  and  on  behalf  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  any  lands  belonging  to  the  General  Government,  and  lying- 
within  five  miles  of  the  probable  route  of  any  of  the  public  works  which, 
in  the  opinion  of  any  two  members  of  the  board,  may  be  deemed  valuable' 
and  the  value  of  which  will  in  their  opinion  be  materially  enhanced  bv  the 
construction  and  completion  of  the  said  works  contiguous  thereto :  Pro- 
vided^ That  any  tract  of  unentered  land  not  exceeding  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  upon  which  an  actual  settler  may  reside,  shall  not  be  entered  bv 
the  said  board,  unless  the  occupant  shall  consent  to  such  entry. 

Sec.  32.  All  deeds,  grants,  releases,  certificates  of  the  entries  of  Govern- 
ment lands,  and  other  vouchers  relating  to  lands,  released,  purchased  or 
taken  for  the  State,  shall  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  auditor  of  public 
accounts,  and  shall  be  by  him  recorded  in  a  book  to  be  provided  for  that 
special  purpose,  and  an  alphabetical  list  of  the  said  vouchers  shall  be  kept 
in  the  said  book,  for  the  convenience  of  reference. 

Sec.  33.  The  location  of  all  the  railroads  authorized  by  this  act  shall  be 
made  with  a  view  of  occupying  the  most  direct  and  eligible  route  between 
the  several  points  named  for  their  commencement  and  termination  and 
between  such  intermediate  points  as  are  specified,  adopting  in  all  cases  such 
plan  and  profile  for  the  respective  roads  as  will  be  productive  of  the  great- 
est useful  effect  in  their  operation,  as  the  nature  of  the  country  over  which 
they  pass,  and  an  economical  construction,  will  admit  of:  Provided  That. 


[259]  18 

in  cases  where  any  county  or  other  important  trading  town  cannot  be 
reached  with  the  main  line  of  railroad,  by  a  judicious  and  economical  loca- 
tion, it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public 
works  to  construct  a  lateral  branch  of  the  said  main  line  to  the  said  town3 
calculated  for  a  single  track  only,  when  the  distance  to  said  town  from  the 
main  line  shall  not  exceed  five  miles,  if  in  the  opinion  of  the  board  the 
interests  of  the  State  will  not  be  compromised  or  injured  thereby. 

Sec.  34.  The  location  of  the  several  roads  which  intersect  the  navigable 
rivers  shall  be  made  with  a  view  of  crossing  the  valleys  thereof,  without  the 
aid  of  stationary  power  wherever  practicable,  and  also  with  the  further 
view  of  combining  the  aforesaid  character  of  the  line  with  that  of  com- 
manding a  favorable  and  eligible  site  for  the  construction  of  bridges  over 
the  said  rivers :  Provided,  That  the  construction  of  bridges  over  the  Illi- 
nois and  Great  Wabash  rivers  shall  be  dispensed  with  by  the  board  until 
specially  authorized  by  the  Legislature  ;  and  if  it  should  be  found  impracti- 
cable to  locate  any  railroad  over  the  valleys  of  the  Illinois  and  Wabash 
rivers,  without  resorting  to  inclined  planes  to  be  overcome  by  stationary 
power,  the  said  inclined  planes  shall  also  be  dispensed  with  by  the  board, 
and  the  depot  made  at  the  summit,  until  the  action  of  the  Legislature  can 
be  had  upon  the  subject :  Provided,  also,  That  if  said  railroads  intersecting 
any  navigable  stream  shall  be  ready  for  use  before  any  bridge  over  the 
same  shall  be  completed,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  board  to  procure  and 
keep  in  operation  the  necessary  ferry  boats  and  apparatus  to  transport  the 
trade  and  travel  across  said  river,  until  the  said  ferry  shall  be  superseded 
by  the  completion  of  the  bridge  over  the  same ;  and  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  and  keeping  in  operation  the  said  ferries,  the  board  are  hereby 
authorized  and  required  to  procure  the  necessary  plats  of  land  on  either 
side  of  any  river,  by  release,  purchase,  or  otherwise,  as  is  herinbefore  pro- 
vided for  procuring  lands  for  other  purposes,  to  carry  into  effect  the  objects 
of  this  act. 

Sec.  35..  The  road  bed  formation  and  bridges  shall,  in  all  cases,  be  made 
of  sufficient  width  to  admit  of  the  construction  of  a  single  track  railway 
thereupon,  and  all  the  bridges  over  streams  exceeding  eighty  feet  wide  from 
bank  to  bank,  shall  have  sufficient  extra  width  to  admit  of  the  safe  passage 
of  the  common  road  wagons,  and  the  embankments  and  excavations  at  the 
end  of  said  bridges  shall  be  accommodated  to  the  passage  thereof,  unless, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  this  plan 
may  be  dispensed  with  in  special  cases  without  prejudice  to  the  public  good ; 
whenever  it  may  be  inconvenient  and  expensive  to  procure  suitable  build- 
ing stone  for  the  construction  of  bridge  abutments,  culverts,  or  other  struc- 
tures, durable  and  well  selected  timber  may  be  substituted  therefor,  with 
the  ultimate  view  of  replacing  the  same  with  stone,  to  be  transported  on 
the  railways  when  completed,  at  any  time  when  the  necessity  of  the  case 
may  require  it. 

Sec.  36.  One  track  only  of  the  said  railways,  with  the  necessary  turn- 
outs and  side  tracks  at  the  convenient  point  for  stopping  stages  and  depots 
along  the  lines,  not  less  than  five  miles  nor  more  than  fifteen  miles  asunder, 
and  also  at  the  intersection  of  navigable  rivers,  and  at  the  commencing  and 
terminating  points  of  the  several  lines  of  railroads,  shall  be  laid  down, 
until,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Legislature,  the  exigencies  of  the  trade  on  any 
route  and  the  public  good  may  demand  the  construction  of  the  additional 
track. 


19  [259] 

Sec,  37.  The  tracks  of  all  the  railways  to  be  constructed  in  this  State, 
Shall  be  made  of  one  uniform  width  :  which  width  shall  be  four  feet  and 
eight  inches  in  the  clear :  Provided,  That  if  any  agreement  or  understan- 
ding shall  hereafter  be  entered  into  between  this  and  any  other  or  all  of  the 
western  States  and  Territories,  to  provide  for  a  uniform  width  of  railway 
tracks  therein,  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  conform 
thereto  :  Provided,  The  same  shall  not  be  less  than  four  feet  and  six  inches. 

Sec.  38.  The  superstructures  of  all  the  railways  to  be  laid  down  on  all 
the  roads  authorized  by  this  act,  shall  be  laid  upon  a  wooden  or  stone  foun- 
dation, or  both,  as  may  be  most  convenient  and  economical ;  and  shall  be 
made  of  hard  and  durable  timber,  or  with  stone  and  timber  combined, 
where  stone  of  a  suitable  quality  can  be  found  convenient  to  the  line,  as  in 
the  judgment  of  the  board  of  public  work,  is  most  economical  and  expe- 
dient, and  the  rails  shall  be  plated  with  i  on,  not  less  than  five-eighths  of  an 
inch  in  thickness,  (excepting  lateral  branches)  before  cars  shall  be  permitted 
to  run  upon  the  railways  ;  and  the  whole  of  the  main  lines  shall  be  of  suf- 
ficient strength  and  solidity  to  admit  of  the  successful  application  of  steam 
power  upon  the  said  railways. 

Sec.  39.  The  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  adopt  such 
plans  and  elevations  for  all  bridges  over  navigable  streams,  as  shall  not  ob- 
struct the  ordinary  navigation  thereof;  and  shall  construct  and  provide 
safe,  convenient,  and  suitable  crossings  over  all  railroads,  for  all  public 
roads  and  highways  laid  out  prior  to  the  location  of  the  said  railroads 
which  shall  intersect  the  said  railroads  :  Provided,  That  they  shall  have 
power  to  change  the  specific  location  of  any  such  road  or  highway,  in  that 
part  thereof  contiguous  to  the  route  of  said  railroad,  in  order  to  command 
the  most  eligible  and  economical  site  for  making  said  crossing :  And  pro- 
vided, also,  That  such  change  of  location  shall  not  materially  increase  the 
length  of  said  travelled  road  or  highway,  or  prejudice  the  usefulness  there- 
of; and  shall  also  construct  and  provide  crossings  for  private  roads  and 
farm  ways,  at  such  suitable  and  convenient  points  as  will  be  least  expensive 
to  the  State,  and  least  injurious  to  the  railway,  and  at  the  same  time  ac- 
commodate, as  generally  as  practicable,  the  neighborhood  or  individuals 
intended  to  be  accommodated  thereby.  In  order  to  provide  against  the 
expense  and  injury  arising  from  an  unnecessary  number  of  road  crossings 
over  railroads,  all  public  and  private  roads  to  be  laid  out,  after  the  location 
of  any  railroad  route,  and  which  shall  intersect  the  same,  shall,  whenever 
the  public  interests  will  not  be  essentially  prejudiced  thereby,  be  located 
and  directed  to  some  former  established  crossing,  or  to  some  regular  stop- 
ping stage  and  depot  on  the  line  of  the  railroad. 

Sec.  40.  That  if  any  person  shall  wilfully,  wittingly,  and  maliciously, 
or  negligently,  obstruct  any  railroad  in  this  State,  by  throwing  or  placing 
upon  the  track  of  any  said  railroad,  any  material  or  thing  calculated  to 
injure  any  engine,  car,  or  vehicle,  running  thereon,  or  to  throw  the  same 
from  the  track  of  said  railroad,  or  shall  otherwise  obstruct  or  injure  any 
railroad,  or  any  engine,  viaduct,  car,  bridge,  or  other  appendage  thereof,  in 
any  manner  whatsoever,  or  shall  ride,  drive,  or  lead,  any  beast,  wagon,  or 
other  vehicle  across  any  railroad,  excepting  upon  the  road  crossings  provi 
dedfor  that  purpose,  every  person  so  offending  shall  be  deemed  to  be  guilts 
of  a  misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  thereof  shall  be  fined  in  any  sum 
wot  exceeding  one  thousand  dollars7  or  imprisoned  any  term  not  exceeding 


[  £59  ]  20 

five  years,  or  both,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court  before  whom  the  convictioa 
may  be  had. 

Sec.  41.  Every  locomotive  engine,  passing  upon  any  railroad,  shall 
have  attached  to  the  same  a  bell  of  not  less  than  twenty-five  pounds  weight? 
and  the  said  bell  shall  always  be  rung  at  the  distance  of  at  least  sixty  rods 
from  the  place  where  said  railroad  crosses  any  other  railroad,  turnpike 
road,  highway,  or  public  road,  upon  the  same  level  with  the  said  railroad, 
and  shall  be  kept  ringing  until  the  engine  and  its  train  shall  have  crossed 
the  said  road  or  way. 

Sec.  42.  There  shall  be  boards  conspicuously  put  up,  and  constantly 
maintained,  across  each  turnpike  road  and  highway,  crossing  any  railroads 
upon  the  same  level  therewith,  in  such  a  position  as  can  be  easily  seen  by 
travellers,  and  without  obstructing  the  travel ;  and  on  each  side  of  the  said 
board  shall  be  printed  in  plain  and  legible  capital  letters,  of  at  least  the  size 
of  nine  inches  each;  RAILROAD  CROSSING;  LOOK  OUT  FOR 
THE  ENGINE  WHILE  THE  BELL  RINGS. 

Sec.  43.  The  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  are  hereby  au- 
thorized and  empowered  to  adopt  and  enforce,  from  time  to  time,  all  such 
rules  and  regulations  as  they  may  deem  necessary  and  expedient,  for  the 
purpose  of  carrying  into  full  effect  the  objects  of  this  act,  and  to  provide 
for  the  security  and  successful  management  and  operation  of  the  public 
works  authorized  hereby ;  and  in  the  absence  of  legislative  enactments,  to 
fix  and  establish  the  rates  of  toll  to  be  collected  thereupon,  and  provide  for 
the  faithful  collection  thereof,  and  for  the  payment  of  the  amounts  collected 
to  the  board  of  fund  commissioners  ;  which  rules  and  regulations,  and  rates 
of  tolls,  shall  be  published,  and  printed  copies  thereof  kept  up,  publicly 
exhibited  along  the  several  lines  of  the  public  works,  wherever  their  ob- 
servance is  required  ;  and  any  person  knowingly,  wilfully,  and  maliciously 
offending  against  the  said  rules  and  regulations,  or  refusing  or  evading  to 
pay  the  established  tolls,  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  on 
conviction  thereof  shall  he  fined  or  imprisoned  by  the  court  before  whom  the 
conviction  may  be  had :  Provided,  That  the  fine  shall  not  exceed  fifty 
dollars,  and  the  imprisonment  six  months,  unless  the  offence  shall  be  deem- 
ed by  the  court  to  come  within  the  purview  of  the  fortieth  section  of  this 
act,  when  the  penalties  therein  prescribed  may  be  inflicted  by  the  court : 
Andprovided  also,  That  no  conviction  under  this  act  shall  be  deemed  to  ex- 
mpt  the  offender  from  the  payment  of  all  damages  which  may  have  accru- 
ed to  the  public  and  private  property,  in  consequence  of  the  commission  of 
any  such  offences. 

Sec  44.  For  the  purpose  of  guarding  against  accidents,  and  for  the 
greater  security  of  lives  and  property  on  railroads  in  this  State,  no  person 
shall  be  employed  in  the  situation  and  capacity  of  engineer  or  conductor 
of  locomotive  engines,  or  of  superintendent  of  the  transportation  thereon7 
who  is  habitually  intemperate. 

Sec.  45.  It  shall  be  lawful  for  any  individual,  company,  or  corporation^ 
to  connect  any  branch  or  other  railroad  with  the  roads  hereby  authorized 
to  be  constructed,  at  such  points,  and  upon  such  reasonable  conditions,  to  pro- 
tect the  rights  of  the  State,  as  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works 
may  deem  to  be  just  and  right:  Provided,  That  the  tracks  of  ah  such  branch 
or  other  railways  shall  be  of  the  precise  width  of  the  railways  of  the  State ; 
and  the  construction  of  the  wheels  of  the  cars  in  use  on  said  branch  or  other 
railways,  and  designed  to  pass  off  upon  the  State  railroads  and  run  thereon. 


21  [259] 

shall  be  of  such  a  model  as  shall  not  materially  injure  the  Stale  railroads : 
And  provided,  also.  That  the  engines,  cars,  and  coaches,  passing  from  the 
said  lateral  to  the  State  railroads,  shall  be  subject  to  and  conducted  while  on 
the  said  State  railroads,  by  the  rules  and  regulations  adopted  by  the  board 
for  that  purpose. 

Sec.  46.  Whenever  in  the  opinion  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  pub- 
lic works  there  shall  or  may  be  surplus  water,  over  and  above  the  quantity 
required  for  navigation  at  any  dam,  lock,  or  other  work  constructed  at  the 
expense  of  this  State,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  the  said  board  are  hereby 
authorized  and  empowered  to  lease  the  water  power  produced  by  said  sur- 
plus water,  together  with  the  necessary  plats  of  grounds  upon  which  to 
erect  hydraulic  machinery,  to  be  propelled  thereby,  to  the  highest  bidder 
therefor,  under  such  conditions  and  restrictions  as  a  majority  of  a  full  boar3 
of  commissioners  may  deem  necessary  and  proper  for  the  interests  of  the 
State  ;  but  no  water  power  shall  be  leased  by  the  board  unless  the  ground 
upon  which  the  same  is  proposed  to  be  used  shall  be  the  property  of  the 
State,  unless  otherwise  specially  provided  for  by  the  Legislature. 

Sec.  47.  For  the  purpose  of  securing  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  the 
honesty  and  integrity  of  the  officers  aha  engineers  concerned  in  the  public 
works,  and  to  protect  said  officers  and  engineers  from  imputations  of  malfea- 
sance in  the  discharge  of  their  respective  duties,  it  shall  not  be  lwful  for 
either  member  of  the  board  of  public  works,  or  for  any  engineer  concerned 
in  the  recognizance,  examination,  or  location  of  any  of  the  public  works  au- 
thorized by  this  act,  or  hereafter  to  be  authorized  by  law,  after  the  date  of 
their  election  or  appointment,  to  purchase,  or  in  anywise  become  interested, 
either  directly  or  indirectly,  in  any  lands,  tenements,  or  real  estate,  lying 
within  five  miles  of  the  routes  or  probable  routes  of  any  of  the  railroads 
authorized  by  this  act,  or  within  one  mile  of  the  proposed  location  of  any 
dams,  or  locks,  by  which  water  power  will  be  created,  until  the  permanent 
location  of  any  such  works  shall  have  been  definitely  fixed  and  established 
by  the  board  of  public  works,  and  the  said  established  location  shall  have 
been  marked  out  on  the  ground  and  made  fully  public  ;  nor  shall  any  con- 
tingent contract,  bargain,  or  understanding  be  made  in  the  premises,  for  any 
such  lands  or  real  estate  by  which  the  provisions  and  prohibitions  contained 
in  this  section  may  be  evaded,  or  intended  to  be  evaded,  by  any  such  com- 
missioner or  engineer.  And  it  shall  be  the  express  duty  of  the  said  com- 
missioners and  engineers,  (to  the  observance  and  discharge  of  which  each 
engineer  shall  be  sworn  or  affirmed  before  entering  into  the  discharge  of  any 
of  the  duties  of  his  appointment,)  to  keep  secret,  for  the  interests  and  advan- 
tage of  the  State,  all  information  which  he  or  they  may  become  possessed  of 
in  the  discharge  of  their  respective  duties,  relating  to  all  lands  which  may 
be  necessary  and  useful  for  the  State  to  become  possessed  of,  either  by 
entry  or  purchase,  for  the  use  of  the  works,  or  otherwise  to  aid  in  their 
construction,  and  to  enter  and  purchase  the  same  for  the  State,  under  the 
authority  of  this  act,  or  any  subsequent  act  or  resolution  of  the  Genera) 
Assembly  authorizing  the  same;  or  to  give  the  necessary  notice  to  the  board 
of  public  works,  or  to  some  member  thereof,  that  the  said  lands  may  be  so 
entered  or  purchased ;  and  shall  not,  either  directly,  or  indirectly,  give  any 
such  information  to  any  other  person  or  persons  whatsoever  :  And  if  any 
member  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  or  engineer,  shall 
be  guilty  of  a  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  this  section  of  this  act, 
lie  shall  be  deemed  guilty  of  a  misdemeanor,  and  upon  conviction  thereof 


[2  59]  22 

before  any  court  of  competent  jurisdiction,  shall  be  fined  in  any  sum  no 
exceeding  five  thousand  dollars ;  one-half  to  be  paid  to  the  person  who 
may  inform  thereof  and  prosecute  to  conviction,  and  the  other  half  to  be 
paid  to  the  fund  for  internal  improvements;  and  said  conviction  shall  amount 
to  a  removal  from  his  office  or  appointment  as  the  case  may  be,  and  the 
offender  shall  forever  thereafter  be  incapable  of  holding  any  office  or  ap- 
pointment in  this  State  :  Provided,  That  nothing  herein  contained  shall 
be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  any  commissioner  or  engineer  from  purchas- 
ing or  leasing  for  a  term  of  years  a  residence  along  any  of  the  lines  of  the 
public  works  on  which  they  are  engaged,  if  the  same  be  done  in  good  faith, 
for  the  purpose  of  a  residence  alone,  and  not  with  any  intention  of  evading 
the  provisions  of  this  section  ;  nor  shall  it  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  pur- 
chasers of  town  property  in  any  town,  to  which  the  respective  rail  routes 
are  permanently  fixed  by  law,  and  the  location  of  which  said  road  at  said 
point  is  in  nowise  left  to  the  discretion  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of 
public  works  :  And  provided.  That  such  purchases  of  town  property  shall 
not  be  situated  on  the  immediate  line  of  the  said  railroad. 

Sec.  48.  The  said  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  or  any  mem- 
ber thereof,  are  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  prosecute  and  defend  all 
suits  for  damages  done  to  the  public  works,  or  trespass  on  the  lands  of  the 
State,  entered  or  purchased,  or  otherwise  acquired  for  the  use  of  said  works, 
or  in  aid  of  their  construction  for  the  use  of  the  State,  in  any  court  of 
record  having  cognizance  thereof;  and  to  proceed  in  all  matters  and  things 
as  an  individual  might  do  ;  and  such  damages,  when  collected,  shall  be 
paid  over  to  the  board  of  fund  commissioners ;  and  all  acts  in  force  in  this 
State,  in  relation  to  trespass  upon  lands,  by  cutting  timber  or  otherwise, 
shall  be  deemed  to  extend  to  trespasses  committed  upon  State  property. 

Sec.  49.  Nothing  in  this  act  contained  shall  be  construed  to  extend  to 
the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal,  or  to  any  operation  thereon,  or  to  the  funds 
relating  thereto,  or  to  the  canal  lands  granted  by  Congress  to  aid  in  the 
construction  thereof. 

Sec.  50.  The  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  shall  suspend 
their  operations  on  the  several  railroads  named  in  this  act,  for  which  com- 
panies have  heretofore  been  incorporated  to  construct,  until  said  companies 
or  corporations  shall  have  relinquished  and  released  to  the  State  their  right 
to  construct  the  said  railroads  or  parts  of  roads  aforesaid,  respectively,  by 
releases  signed  and  sealed  by  a  majority  of  the  board  of  directors,  (if  the 
companies  have  been  organized  and  directors  elected,)  which  releases  shall 
and  may  contain  a  proviso  and  reservation  for  the  benefit  of  the  said  com- 
panies, that  the  State  shall  and  will  commence,  construct,  and  complete 
the  said  railroads  named  and  designated  in  this  act,  and  for  which  the  said 
releases  are  given,  respectively,  within  the  time,  and  as  is  provided  for  in 
the  first  clause  of  the  18th  section  of  this  act :  Provided,  That  said  releases 
shall  be  given  by  the  said  companies  or  corporations,  and  filed  in  the  office 
of  the  Secretary  of  State  within  a  reasonable  time,  and  without  unneces- 
sary delay:  And  provided,  also,  That  nothing  contained  in  this  section 
shall  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent,  excuse,  or  delay  the  board  of  commis- 
sioners of  public  works,  or  other  authorized  agent  or  agents  on  the  part  of 
the  State,  from  entering  or  purchasing  lands  along  or  contiguous  to  any  of 
the  routes  or  probable  routes  of  any  of  the  said  railroads  for  the  use  of  the 
State,  by  virtue  of  this  act,  or  any  other  act  or  resolution  of  the  General 
Assembly  prior  to  the  making  and  filing  of  any  such  releases  ;  but  shall 


23  [  259  ] 

fee  construed  to  extend  only  to  commencing  the  survey  and  construction  of 
the  said  several  railroads  for  which  releases  have  not  been  executed  and 
riled  as  aforesaid. 

Sec.  51.  That  whenever  the  proprietor  of  any  town  plat,  or  the  corpo- 
ration of  any  town  or  borough,  through  which  any  of  the  railroads,  author- 
ized by  this  act,  are  to  pass,  shall  object  to  the  passage  thereof,  or  the  said 
proprietors,  corporations,  or  owners  of  property,  shall  require  and  exact 
from  the  State  unreasonable  damages  for  the  right  of  way  through  the  said 
town  plat,  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works 
to  locate  the  said  road,  in  the  vicinity  thereof,  in  such  manner  as  will  best 
promote  the  interest  of  the  State. 

Sec.  52.  That  so  soon  as  there  shall  be  appointed  a  board  of  commis- 
sioners of  public  works  under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  said  board  of 
commissioners  shall  proceed  to  survey  and  locate  all  railroads  contemplated 
in  said  act  so  soon  as  they  can  possibly  perform  the  same ;  and  so  soon  as 
said  road  or  roads  are  located,  it  shall  be  their  duty  to  advertise  the  same 
in  some  one  or  more  newspapers  printed  in  this  State,  as  said  commissioners 
shall  think  best,  for  contracting  with  any  person  or  persons,  company  or 
companies,  for  the  contracting  and  completing  of  a  part  or  of  all  of  said 
railroad,  to  be  done  on  the  plan  laid  down  by  said  board  of  commissioners. 

Sec.  53.  That  it  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  commissioners  to 
contract  for  the  immediate  construction,  so  soon  as  located,  of  all  the  rail- 
roads or  parts  thereof  contemplated  between  Q,uincy  and  the  Wabash,  as 
lies  between  Jacksonville,  in  Morgan  county,  Springfield,  in  Sangamon 
county,  Decatur,  in  Macon  county,  and  Danville,  in  Vermillion  county ; 
thence  to  the  State  line  in  Vermillion  county  in  a  direction  to  Lafayette,  in 
Indiana,  at  such  point  as  the  commissioners  of  this  State  and  of  Indiana 
may  agree  to  cross  the  same. 

Sec.  54.  That  any  company  or  companies,  contracting  for  the  construc- 
tion of  all  or  a  part  of  said  railroad,  and  furnishing  money  for  the  completion 
of  the  same  ;  (provided  the  amount  so  appropriated  does  not  exceed  the  a- 
mount  agreed  upon  by  said  contracting  parties  for  the  completion  of  said 
railroads,)  and  whenever  said  railroad  or  roads  shall  be  completed  by  said 
company  or  companies,  then  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  commissioners,  and 
they  are  hereby  required,  to  report  the  same  to  the  fund  commissioners, 
whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  draw  a  warrant  or  warrants  in  favor  of  the  com- 
pany or  companies  for  the  same,  together  with  six  per  cent  interest  from  the 
time  they  commenced  said  work,  provided  they  on  their  part  suffered  no 
unnecessary  delay. 

Sec.  55.  Whenever  said  railroad  is  completed  according  to  the  provis- 
ions of  this  act,  and  the  same  paid  for,  then  it  shall  be  a  public  road,  and  be 
managed  and  kept  in  repair  as  all  other  public  State  railroads  are  kept: 
Provided,  That  the  money  to  be  paid  as  aforesaid  shall  be  paid  out  of  the 
fund  appropriated  for  the  construction  of  said  road,  and  no  other  :  And  pro- 
vided, further,  That  all  parts  of  said  road  may  be  put  under  contract,  and 
completed  upon  the  terms  provided  in  the  foregoing  sections. 

Sec.  56.  This  act  shall  be  deemed  and  taken  to  be  a  public  act.  and  shall 
be  taken  notice  of  as  such,  without  the  necessity  of  pleading  the  same ;  and 
shall  be  in  force  from  and  after  its  passage. 

Approved  February  27,  1837, 


[  259  ]  24 

An  ACT  supplemental  to  the  <;  act  to  establish  and  maintain  a  general  system  of  internal  im- 
provements. 

Sec.  1.  Be  it  enacted  hij  the  people  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  represented 
in  the  General  Assembly,  That  the  board  of  fund  commissioners,  created 
by  the  act  to  which  this  is  a  supplement,  shall  take  and  use  all  proper 
means  and  measures  for  the  transferring  the  stock  authorized  to  be  constitu- 
ted by  said  act,  and  also  for  the  transferring  all  State  bonds  authorized  to  be 
made  and  executed  under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  and  it  shall  be  deemed 
a  good  execution  of  the  power  to  borrow,  to  cause  the  said  certificates  of 
stock  and  State  bonds  to  be  sold  :  Provided,  That  said  stock  and  bonds  shall 
not,  in  any  event,  be  sold  for  less  than  par  value. 

Sec.  2.  The  Governor  of  the  State  is  authorized  and  required,  whenever 
requested  by  the  said  fund  commissioners,  to  execute  bonds  for  and  in  be- 
half of  the  State,  for  any  sum  or  sums  of  money  which  may  be  borrowed^ 
under  the  provisions  of  this  and  the  act  to  which  this  is  a  supplement,  in 
any  foreign  language,  stipulating  for  the  payment  of  the  interest  and  prin- 
cipal, in  such  foreign  currency  and  country  as  shall  be  found  most  benefi- 
cial for  the  interest  of  the  State ;  which  bonds  shall  be  signed  by  the  Gov- 
ernor, countersigned  by  the  auditor  of  public  accounts,  with  the  impress  of 
the  great  seal  of  State  affixed  thereto,  and  shall  be  delivered  to  the  fund 
commissioners. 

Sec.  3.  The  fund  commissioners  are  authorized  to  appoint  one  or  more 
agents,  with  full  power  to  negotiate  the  loans,  and  make  sale  of  the  State 
bonds  and  certificates  of  stock  in  any  foreign  country,  and  to  vest  the  said 
agent  or  agents  with  as  full  and  ample  powers  as  are  by  law  vested  in  the 
said  fund  commissioners. 

Sec.  4.  The  State  hereby  engages  and  agrees  to  provide  sufficient  rev- 
enues and  means  to  pay  the  interest  and  principal  of  all  sums  of  money  r 
which,  under  the  provisions  of  the  act  to  which  this  is  a  supplement,  may 
be  borrowed,  as  the  same  becomes  due  and  payable  ;  and  the  faith  of  the 
State  is  hereby  irrevocably  pledged,  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  this 
section. 

Approved  March  4,  1837. 


An  ACT  further  supplemental  to  an  "  net  to  establish  and  maintain  a  general  system  of  in- 

ternal  improvements." 

Sec.  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  people  of  the  Stale  of  Illinois,  represented 
in  the  General  Assembly,  That  so  much  of  the  act,  to  which  this  is  an 
amendment,  as  authorizes- three  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public 
works  to  form  a  quorum  of  said  board  to  do  business,  be,  and  the  same  is 
hereby,  repealed,  and  hereafter  no  less  than  four  shall  be  requisite  to  consti- 
tute a  quorum. 

Sec.  2.  The  fund  commissioners  elected  under  the  provisions  of  the  act 
to  which  this  is  a  supplement,  shall  hold  their  offices  for  two  years,  and 
until  their  successors  are  elected  and  qualified. 

Sec.  3.  Nothing  in  the  act  to  which  this  is  a  supplement  shall  be  so 
construed  as  to  entitle  the  fund  commissioner  or  commissioners  of  public 
works  to  receive  their  per  diem  compensation,  excepting  for  the  time 
actually  and  bona  fide  engaged  in  the  discharge  of  their  respective  duties*. 


25  [  259  ] 

An  abstract  from  the  Journal  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Public 
Works  of  the  Slate  of  Illinois,  for  April,  1837. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  begun  and  held  at  Vandalia  on  the  first  Monday  in  the 
month  of  April,  A.  D.  1837,  the  following  members  appeared  and  took  their 
seats  as  such,  to  wit:  Of  the  1st  judicial  circuit,  Murray  McConnel;  2d. 
William  Kinney;  3d.  Elijah  Willard ;  4th.  Milton  K.  Alexander;  7th.  Eb- 
enezer  Peck. 

Messrs.  Joel  Wright  and  James  W.  Stephenson,  of  the  5th  and  6th  cir- 
cuits, not  appearing  to  take  their  seats. 
On  motion  of  Mr.  McConnel, 

William  Kinney  was  unanimously  appointed  president  of  the  board  ; 
whereupon  he  immediately  took  his  seat  as  president. 

By  request.  Mr.  McConnel  consented  to  act  as  secretary  until  a  secretary 
should  be  appointed  and  qualified. 
On  motion  of  Mr.  Willard, 

G.  W.  Carruthers,  Esq.,  was  appointed  secretary  of  the  board  of  public 
works. 

Ordered,  That  said  secretary  give  bond  and  security  in  the  sum  of  five 
thousand  dollars  ;  that  he  reside  and  keep  his  office  at  Vandalia,  and  keep 
the  same  open  from  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  five  o'clock  in  the 
evening. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow  morning,  10  o'clock. 


Tuesday,  April  4,  1837. 

The  board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment;  present,  the  members  as  of 
yesterday. 

This  day  came  G.  W.  Carruthers,  and  presented  his  bond  as  secretary 
of  the  board ;  said  bond  was  approved,  and  the  approval  and  the  oath  of  of- 
fice of  the  said  secretary  were  ordered  to  be  endorsed  thereon. 

Ordered,  That  said  bond  be  filed  in  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  of 
the  State  of  Illinois. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  McConnel, 

Resolved,  That  the  secretary  procure  500  printed  blanks  for  drafts,  ac- 
cording lo  24th  section  of  the  act  "  To  establish  and  maintain  a  general, 
system  of  internal  improvements,"  and  also  300  blanks  for  deeds  of  release 
for  lands,  &c.  to  the  State,  under  the  30th  section  of  said  act. 

Ordered,  That  the  board  adjourn  until  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 


Wednesday,  April  5,  1837, 
The  board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Present :  Hon.  Wm.  Kinney,  president  of  the  board,  and  Messrs.  Wil- 
lard, Peck,  Alexander,  McConnel,  and  Mr.  Joel  Wright  of  the  5th  circuit: 
Mr.  Stephenson  absent. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Peck, 


[  259  ]  26     ! 

Resolved,  That  the  commissioner  of  the  fourth  judicial  circuit  be  es- 
pecially empowered  and  requested  to  do  and  perform  all  things  necessary 
for  the  improvement  of  the  Great  Wabash  river,  in  the  manner,  and  under 
the  restrictions,  contained  in  the  first  clause  of  the  18th  section  of  the  act 
*■'  To  establish  and  maintain  a  general  system  of  internal  improvements," 
and  also  under  the  joint  resolutions  of  the  General  Assemblies  of  the  States 
of  Indiana  and  Illinois,  forming  a  compact  between  said  States,  in  relation 
to  the  said  improvements. 

Mr.  McConnel,  from  a  committee  heretofore  appointed  for  the  purpose, 
reported  the  following  rules  and  ordinances,  organizing  the  board  of  pub- 
lic works  and  the  central  office,  and  prescribing  the  duty  of  the  secretary 
of  the  board. 

Sec.  1,  Be  it  ordained  by  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Public  Works 
of  the  State  of  Illinois ■■  That  there  shall  be  established  at  the  seat  of  Gov- 
ernment a  general  office,  to  be  styled  the  central  internal  improvement 
office  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 

2.  The  secretary  of  the  board  shall  receive  a  salary  of  one  thousand 
dollars  per  annum,  to  be  paid  quarterly  out  of  the  internal  improvement 
fund. 

3.  Said  secretary  shall  attend  all  meetings  of  the  board,  and  shall  keep 
a  journal  of  all  the  proceedings  thereof  while  in  session,  and  shall  record 
the  same  in  a  book  called  the  journal,  in  the  order  in  which  the  same  oc- 
curred, including  the  resolutions  offered,  and  propositions  made  by  each 
member  of  the  board,  together  with,  the  vote  of  each  member  upon  each 
question,  which  shall  always  be  by  viva  voce,  when  requested  by  any  one 
member  of  the  board;  which  journal  shall,  at  all  times,  be  open  for  inspec- 
tion, as  provided  by  law. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  secretary  to  receive  and  rile,  and,  if  neces- 
sary, record  all  returns  from  the  clerks  of  the  district  offices,  or  from  any 
of  the  acting  commissioners  of  the  board,  together  with  all  plans,  profiles, 
reports,  estimates,  specifications,  and  other  documents,  transmitted  or  de- 
livered to  said  office,  by  any  engineer  of  any  district  in  the  employ  of  the 
eommisrioners,  all  of  which  shall  be  open  for  the  inspection  of  all  persons  in- 
terested, in  the  presence  of  said  secretary. 

5.  Said  secretary  shall  do  and  perform  all  other  acts  required  of  him  by 
law,  or  by  the  orders  of  the  board  of  public  works,  made  while  in  session, 
or  that  may  be  directed  by  the  president  of  the  board  during  vacation.  All 
proceedings  of  the  board  shall  be  signed  by  the  president. 

6.  That  each  commissioner  of  the  board  of  public  works  shall  be  acting 
commissioner,  and  shall  have  the  control,  direction,  and  management  of  all 
the  different  parts  of  the  public  works  as  lie  within  the  respective  circuits 
in  which  they  were  elected,  and  shall  have  upon  all  and  each  of  said  public 
works  all  the  powers  given  by  law  to  the  board  of  public  works  over  all  the 
internal  improvements  of  the  State. 

7.  They,  and  each  of  them,  shall  be  furnished  by  this  board  with  the 
amount  of  money  necessarv  to  carry  on  the  surveying,  location,  estimates, 
and  construction,  of  all  and  each  of  said  works,  and  also  for  the  building  of 
offices,  shops,  warehouses,  and  other  necessary  buildings,  and  for  salaries  of 
officers,  engineers,  agents,  and  all  other  persons  employed  upon  said  works, 
in  each  of  the  said  districts,  and  for  all  necessary  expenses  touching  said 
works. 

R  Copies  of  all  drafts  payable  to  the  acting  commissioner  shall  be  filed 


27  [  259  ] 

and  recorded  in  the  district  office  in  the  district  in  which  said  commissioner 
shall  reside  ;  and  when  said  draft  or  drafts  shall  be  paid,  the  receipt  of  said 
money  shall  be  entered  in  the  proper  books  of  said  office,  and  copies  of  said 
drafts,  and  of  the  accounts  of  cash  received  by  each  commissioner,  shall  be 
transmitted  to  the  Secretary  of  the  board  at  the  central  office,  and  there 
filed  and  entered  on  record  in  a  book  to  be  kept  for  that  purpose. 

9.  For  the  better  enabling  the  Presient  of  the  board  to  furnish  the  act- 
ing commissioners  with  the  necessary  funds,  in  pursuance  of  the  foregoing- 
provisions,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  president  to  cause  to  be  printed  a  suf- 
ficient number  of  drafts  upon  the  board  of  fund  commissioners,  in  which 
drafts  the  following  blanks  shall  be  left  to  be  filled  up  by  the  acting  com- 
missioner, when  it  may  become  necessary  to  use  said  drafts;  to  wit :  The  date 
and  place  where  drawn  ;  the  commissioner  to  whom  payable  ;  the  amount 
to  be  drawn  for;  the  particular  work  to  which  said  amount  thus  drawn  for 
is  to  be  applied  ;  and  the  number  of  the  draft.  And  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  president  to  number  and  sign,  in  his  official  capacity,  and  to  deliver  to 
each  of  said  acting  commissioners,  a  sufficient  number  of  said  drafts  to  en- 
able said  commissioner  to  obtain  from  the  board  of  fund  commissioners 
whatever  sums  of  money  may  be  necessary  to  carry  on  the  improvements 
under  his  particular  charge;  which  drafts  shall  be  charged  by  their  numbers 
to  the  acting  commissioner  to  whom  delivered. 

10.  Whenever  it  may  become  necessary  for  any  acting  commissioner  to 
draw  for,  pay  out,  or  use,  any  sum  of  money  not  properly  chargeable  to 
any  particular  work,  (such  as  the  salaries  of  officers,  engineers,  agents,  and 
other  persons  employed  upon  and  for  all  the  internal  improvements  of  the 
State,  and  not  for  any  particular  one,)  said  commissioner  shall  fill  up  said 
drafts  to  be  charged  to  the  particular  object  to  which  said  money  is  to  be 
applied^  and  the  said  drafts  when  paid,  and  the  money  applied  to  the  ob- 
ject for  which  the  same  was  drawn,  shall  be  charged  by  the  secretary  of 
the  district  office  to  the  general  expenditure. 

11.  Monthly  returns  shall  be  made  to  the  secretary  of  the  board  at  the 
central  office  by  the  acting  commissioners  and  the  clerks  of  the  district  offi- 
ces, and  also  to  the  fund  commissioners,  of  all  money  expended  upon  each 
work,  and  for  all  other  purposes  whatever  ;  and  the  secretary  of  the  board 
shall  cause  to  be  kept  in  well  bound  books,  a  fair  and  complete  record,  ac- 
cording to  the  ninth  section  of  the  "  Act  establishing  a  general  system  of 
internal  improvement,"  and  the  accounts  of  money  expended  shall  be  made 
up  from  ihe  returns  aforesaid,  and  such  other  vouchers  as  may  be  furnished 
by  the  board  from  time  to  time,  all  of  which  shall  be  subject  to  inspection 
according  to  law. 


Rides  and  ordinances  dividing   the  "State    into    engineering    districts , 
and  organizing  the  district  offices. 

Sec.  1.  Be  it  ordained  by  the  board  of  commissioners  of 'public  works, 
That  the  State  of  Illinois  shall  be  divided  into  four  districts  for  engineering 
purposes,  to  be  called  internal  improvement  districts. 

2.  Resolved  further.  That  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Illinois  lying  north  of 
a  line  commencing  at  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  on  the  west  side,  thence 
op  along  the  margin  of  the  river  at  low  water  mark,  to  a  point  opposite  the 


[  259  ]  28 

mouth  of  the  Sangamon  river,  thence  across  the  Illinois  river  and  up  on 
the  margin  of  said  river  as  aforesaid,  to  the  north  side  of  Tazewell  county, 
thence  east  on  a  line  dividing  the  county  of  Tazewell  from  the  county  of 
Putnam,  and  then  due  east  to  the  east  side  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  shall  com- 
pose the  northern  district. 

3.  That  all  that  part  of  the  Stale  of  Illinois  situated  within  the  following 
boundaries,  to  wit :  beginning  at  a  point  where  the  Central  railroad  crosses 
the  north  line  of  McClean  county,  thence  east  to  the  State  line,  thence 
south  on  said  line  to  the  Wabash  river,  thence  down  said  river  to  the  south 
side  of  the  county  of  Crawford,  thence  westwardly  to  the  town  of  Vandalia, 
thence  north  on  the  line  of  the  Central  railroad,  including  the  same,  to  the 
north  fork  of  Sangamon  river,  thence  north  on  the  line  of  said  road,  exclu- 
ding the  same,  to  the  place  of  beginning:,  shall  compose  the  eastern  district. 

4.  That  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Illinois  situated  within  the  following 
boundaries,  to  wit:  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  from  thence 
down  the  Mississippi  to  the  centre  of  the  town  of  Lower  Alton,  thence  east 
to  Vandalia,  thence  north  on  the  line  of  the  Central  railroad,  excluding  the 
same,  to  the  north  fork  of  the  Sangamon  river,  thence  north  on  the  line  of 
said  railroad,  including  the  same,  to  the  north  line  of  McLean  county, 
thence  west  to  the  east  bank  of  the  Illinois  river,  thence  down  the  east 
shore  of  said  river  at  low  water  mark  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sangamon  river, 
thence  across  said  river  and  down  on  the  west  side  of  the  same  to  the  place 
of  beginning,  shall  compose  the  western  district. 

5.  That  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Illinois  situated  south  of  the  eastern 
and  western  districts,  shall  compose  the  southern  district. 

6.  There  shall  be  one  principal  engineer  appointed  in  each  of  said  dis- 
tricts, by  the  board  of  public  works,  or  by  the  acting  commissioner  or  com- 
missioners of  said  districts,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  make  or  superintend 
the  making  of  all  surveys  and  estimates  of  all  and  each  of  the  public  works 
in  his  district,  under  the  direction  of  the  acting  commissioners  of  the  board, 
to  whose  charge  the  work  is  committed,  by  order  of  the  board  of  public 
works.  Said  chief  engineer  shall  receive  a  competent  salary,  not  exceeding 
three  thousand  dollars  per  annum. 

7.  The  acting  commissioner  of  each  judicial  circuit  shall  be  authorized 
to  employ  as  many  assistant  engineers  and  surveyors  and  other  assistants, 
from  time  to  time,  as  to  said  commissioners  may  seem  necessary  to  facili- 
tate and  forward  the  different  works  under  his  charge. 

8.  The  survey  and  estimates  of  said  assistant  engineers  shall  pass  under 
the  supervision  of  the  principal  engineer  of  the  district,  before  the  same  is 
let  to  contractors :  said  assistant  engineers  shall  receive  a  compensation  not 
exceeding  two  thousand  dollars  per  annum. 

9.  There  shall  be  established  in  each  of  the  said  districts  an  office  to  be 
styled,  the  District  Office  for  Engineering  Purposes. 

10.  The  principal  and  all  assistant  engineers  shall  at  all  times  obey  the 
instructions  and  rules  adopted  by  the  board  of  public  works,  and  shall  be 
under  the  control  of  the  acting  commissioner  of  the  circuit  in  which  he  or 
they  may  be  engaged  for  the  time  being. 

11.  Copies  of  all  plats,  releases,  conveyances,  drafts,  reports,  estimates, 
and  surveys,  shall  be  kept  at  said  offices. 

12.  All  bids  shall  be  received  and  examined,  and  all  contracts  let  at  said 
office,  or  at  such  other  places  as  the  acting  commissioner  may  deem  expe- 
dient.    Copies  of  all  bids  and  copies  of  the  contracts  furnished  to  the  acting 


>. 


59  j 

ricts, 
>oardf 
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opies 
ilft  be 
;  and 
said 
gress 
>f  all 

3es  a 
uty  it 
ssary 
each 
shall 

TOVC- 

>neys 
I  also 
ioner 
f  one 
ie  all 
or  by 
porks 
fliers, 
loney 
s  for 
said 
)  per- 
y  the 

on  of 
;ce  of 
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.imis- 
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ioner 
f  the 


CUltSj 

inder 
.     .  ine  of 

me  state,  according  to  the  53d,  54th,  and  55th  sections  of  the  act  to  estab- 
lish a  general  system  of  internal  improvements,  at  any  time  hereafter,  so 
soon  as  the  same,  or  any  part  thereof,  can  be  located :  Provided,  The  whole 
average  cost  of  said  road,  and  all  necessary  expenses  connected  therewith, 


[  259  ]  £8 

mouth  of  the  Sangamon  river,  thence  across  the  Illinois  river  and  up  on 
the  margin  of  said  river  as  aforesaid,  to  the  north  side  of  Tazewell  county, 
thence  east  on  a  line  dividing  the  county  of  Tazewell  from  the  county  of 
Putnam,  and  then  due  east  to  the  east  side  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  shall  com- 
pose the  northern  district. 

3.  That  all  that  part  of  the  Stale  of  Illinois  situated  within  the  following 
boundaries,  to  wit :  beginning  at  a  point  where  the  Central  railroad  crosses 
the  north  line  of  McClean  county,  thence  east  to  the  Stale  line,  thence 
south  on  said  line  to  the  Wabash  river,  thence  down  said  river  to  the  south 
side  of  the  county  of  Crawford,  thence  westwardly  to  the  town  of  Yandalia, 
thence  north  on  the  line  of  the  Central  railroad,  including  the  same,  to  the 
north  fork  of  Sangamon  river,  thence  north  on  the  line  of  said  road,  exclu- 
ding the  same,  to  the  place  of  beginning,  shall  compose  the  eastern  district. 

4.  That  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Illinois  situated  within  the  following 
boundaries,  to  wit:  beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  river,  from  thence 
down  the  Mississippi  to  the  centre  of  the  town  of  Lower 'Alton,  thence  east 
to  Yandalia,  thence  north  on  the  line  of  the  Central  railroad,  excluding  the 
same,  to  the  north  fork  of  the  Sangamon  river,  thence  north  on  the  line  of 
said  railroad,  including  the  same,  to  the  north  line  of  McLean  county, 
thence  west  to  the  east  bank  of  the  Illinois  river,  thence  down  the  east 
shore  of  said  river  at  low  water  mark  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sangamon  river, 
thence  across  said  river  and  down  on  the  west  side  of  the  same  to  the  place 
of  beginning,  shall  compose  the  western  district. 

5.  That  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Illinois  situated  south  of  the  eastern 
and  western  districts,  shall  compose  the  southern  district. 

6.  There  shall  be  one  principal  engineer  appointed  in  each  of  said  dis- 
tricts, by  the  board  of  public  works,  or  by  the  acting  commissioner  or  com- 
missioners of  said  districts,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  make  or  superintend 
the  making  of  all  surveys  and  estimates  of  all  and  each  of  the  public  works 
in  his  district,  under  the  direction  of  the  acting  commissioners  of  the  board, 
to  whose  charge  the  work  is  committed,  by  order  of  the  board  of  public 
works.  Said  chief  engineer  shall  receive  a  competent  salary,  not  exceeding- 
three  thousand  dollars  per  annum. 

7.  The  acting  commissioner  of  each  judicial  circuit  shall  be  authorized 
to  employ  as  many  assistant  engineers  and  surveyors  and  other  assistants, 
from  time  to  time,  as  to  said  commissioners  may  seem  necessary  to  facili- 
tate and  forward  the  different  works  under  his  charge. 

8.  The  survey  and  estimates  of  said  assistant  engineers  shall  pass  under 
the  supervision  of  the  principal  engineer  of  the  district,  before  the  same  is 
let  to  contractors :  said  assistant  engineers  shall  receive  a  compensation  not 
exceeding  two  thousand  dollars  per  annum. 

9.  There  shall  be  established  in  each  of  the  said  districts  an  office  to  be 
styled  the  District  Office  for  Engineering  Purposes. 

10.  The  principal  and  all  assistant  engineers  shall  at  all  times  obey  the 
instructions  and  rules  adopted  by  the  board  of  public  works,  and  shall  be 
under  the  control  of  the  acting  commissioner  of  the  circuit  in  which  he  or 
they  may  be  engaged  for  the  time  being. 

11.  Copies  of  all  plats,  releases,  conveyances,  drafts,  reports,  estimates, 
and  surveys,  shall  be  kept  at  said  offices. 

12.  All  bids  shall  be  received  and  examined,  and  all  contracts  let  at  said 
office,  or  at  such  other  places  as  the  acting  commissioner  may  deem  expe- 
dient.    Copies  of  all  bids  and  copies  of  the  contracts  furnished  to  the  acting 


LLINOIH 

witji  parts  oJ' 
SD1A.VA,         WISCOXSIIV, 
8CC. 


[  259  ] 

mouth  of  i!" 
the  margin 
thence  east 
Putnam,  am 
pose  the  no: 

3.  That 
boundaries, 
the  north  1 
south  on  sf 
side  of  the  i 
thence  nor 
north  fork 
ding  the  s 

4.  Tha 
boundarie 
down  the 
to  Vandal 
same,  to  f 
said  rail] 
thence  w 
shore  of 
thence  a 
of  begin 

5.  Th 
and  wes 

6.  TJ 
tricts,  b 
mission 
the  rnal 
in  his  ( 
to  who 
works. 
three  t 

7.  r 
to  emj 
from  t 
tate  a1 

8.  ' 
the  si 
let  to 
exeee 

9. 
style 

1C 
insti 
und 
the*  __,  _ ^^ 

11.  Copies  of  all  plats,  reieciooo,  ^ —    „ 
and  surveys,  shall  be  kept  at  said  offices. 

12.  All  bids  shall  be  received  and  examined,  and  all  contracts  let  at  said 
office,  or  at  such  other  places  as  the  acting  commissioner  may  deem  expe- 
dient.    Copies  of  all  bids  and  copies  of  the  contracts  furnished  to  the  acting 


29  [  259  | 

commissioners  of  the  respective  circuits  upon  the  works  within  the  districts, 
shall  be  filed  and  recorded  in  said  office  by  the  secretary  of  the  board, 
according  to  the  sixteenth  section  of  the  "  act  to  establish  and  maintain  a 
general  system  of  internal  improvements."  All  moneys  to  be  paid  to  officers, 
agents,  engineers,  contractors,  and  other  persons,  shall  be  made  payable  at 
said  office,  at  such  other  place  or  places  as  may  seem  expedient.  Copies 
of  all  estimates  made  during  the  progress  of  the  different  works,  shall  be 
filed  and  recorded  in  said  office,  together  with  all  other  documents  and 
proceedings  that  may  be  directed  to  be  filed,  kept,  or  recorded  in  said 
offices,  necessary  to  a  fair,  full,  and  perfect  understanding  of  the  progress 
of  the  different  works  within  the  respective  districts,  and  the  rights  of  all 
parties  connected  therewith. 

13.  There  shall  be  appointed  to  take  charge  of  each  of  said  offices  a 
principal  clerk,  to  be  styled  the  Clerk  of  the  District  Offices,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  furnish  well  bound  books  in  which  to  make  all  records  necessary 
and  proper  to  be  made  at  said  office.  He  shall  open  an  account  with  each 
work  situated  within,  or  passing  through,  the  districts,  in  which  he  shall 
charge  all  moneys  paid  out,  upon,  or  for  the  construction  of  said  improve- 
ments, and  shall  credit  each  of  said  works  with  all  tolls  or  other  moneys 
received  from,  or  arising  out  of,  the  use  of  the  same;  said  clerk  shall  also 
keep  a  general  account  of  all  moneys  paid  out  by  the  acting  commissioner 
or  commissioners  within  the  district,  not  properly  chargeable  to  any  one 
work  or  improvement,  and  to  keep  all  other  accounts,  and  to  make  all 
records  necessary  to  be  made,  and  that  may  be  directed  by  the  board,  or  by 
the  acting  commissioner  or  commissioners  having  charge  of  the  works 
passing  through  said  district;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty' of  said  commissioners, 
and  each  of  them,  to  cause  to  be  kept  in  said  office  an  account  of  all  money 
by  them,  or  either  of  them,  received  from  the  fund  commissioners  for 
the  use  of  the  system  of  internal  improvements,  and  to  furnish  to  said 
clerk  of  the  proper  district  all  information  necessary  to  enable  him  to  per- 
form the  several  duties  enjoined  upon  him  by  this  ordinance  or  by  the 
board  of  public  works. 

All  records,  files,  and  other  documents,  shall  be  open  for  the  inspection  of 
all  persons  concerned  therein,  during  office  hours,  and  in  the  presence  of 
said  clerk,  and  under  such  rules  and  regulations  as  may  be  adopted  by  the 
acting  commissioner  or  commissioners  of  the  circuits  or  parts  of  circuits 
composing  said  district. 

1.4.  Said  clerks  shall  be  appointed  by  the  acting  commissioner  or  commis- 
sioners resident  in  the  district,  and  shall  hold  their  offices  during  the  pleas 
ure  of  the  commissioner  or  commissioners  aforesaid,  and  until  their  suc- 
cessors shall  be  duly  appointed,  and  shall  receive  a  salary  not  exceeding  one 
thousand  dollars  per  annum. 

15.  Said  offices  shall  be  located  at  such  places  as  the  acting  commissioner 
or  commissioners  in  the  district  may  see  proper,  under  the  advice  of  the 
board. 

16.  The  acting  commissioners  of  the  1st,  4th,  and  5th  judicial  circuits, 
and  each  of  them,  are  hereby  authorized  to  receive  proposals,  and  put  under 
contract  all  or  any  part  of  the  cross  railroad  from  Q.uincy  to  the  east  line  of 
the  State,  according  to  the  53d,  54th,  and  55th  sections  of  the  act  to  estab- 
lish a  general  system  of  internal  improvements,  at  any  time  hereafter,  so 
soon  as  the  same,  or  any  part  thereof,  can  be  located :  Provided,  The  whole 
average  cost  of  said  road,  and  all  necessary  expenses  connected  therewith. 


[  250  ]  30 

shall  not  exceed  the  sum  appropriated  by  law  for  said  work;  which  con- 
tracts, when  made,  shall  be  executed  according  to  the  16th  section  of  said 
act,  for,  and  on  the  part  and  behalf  of,  this  board  of  public  works;  and  the 
same,  when  so  made,  shall  be  binding  upon  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  upon 
the  person  or  persons,  company  or  companies,  taking  said  contract :  And 
provided,  further,  That  the  six  per  cent,  interest  mentioned  in  the  54th  sec- 
.  tion  of  said  act  shall  not  be  paid,  except  from  the  time  the  said  money  shall 
be  expended  upon  said  work. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Alexander, 
Ordered  by  the  board  of  public  works,  That  the  acting  commissioner 
of  the  4th  judicial  circuit  be  authorized  to  call  on  the  principal  engineer 
of  the  southern  district  at  the  proper  time,  to  have  surveys  and  estimates 
made  on  the  great  western  mail  route  leading  from  Yincennes,  Indiana,  to 
St.  Louis,  Missouri,  so  far  as  the  same  lies  in  said  district,  preparatory  to 
letting  contracts  on  the  same. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  McConnel, 
Ordered,  That  the  acting  commissioner  of  the  1st  judicial  district  have 
the  control  and  management  of  all  the  improvements  of  the  navigation  of 
the  Illinois  river,  below  the  mouth  of  Sangamon,  and  that  the  improve- 
ments of  the  navigation  of  said  river,  above  the  mouth  of  Sangamon  river, 
shall  be  under  the  control  and  management  of  the  acting  commissioners 
of  the  5th,  6th,  and  7th  judicial  circuits. 

Resolved,  That  two  and  one-half  per  cent,  upon  the  sums  appropriated 
for  the  construction  of  the  several  railroads,  provided  for  by  the  act  ':  To 
establish  and  maintain  a  general  system  of  internal  improvements,"  ap- 
proved 23d  of  February,  1837,  will  probably  be  required  to  meet  the  ex- 
penditures in  the  prosecution  thereof,  before  the  first  day  of  September 
next,  and  that  the  fund  commissioners  be  notified  thereof. 

2.  That  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-nVe  thousand  dollars  will 
probably  be  required  to  be  expended  before  the  first  day  of  September  next, 
on  the  ^reat  western  mail  route  leading  from  Vincennes  to  St.  Louis,  un- 
der the  provisions  of  the  aforesaid  act,  and  that  the  fund  commissioners  be 
notified  thereof. 

3.  That  five  per  cent,  upon  the  sums  appropriated  for  the  improvement 
of  the  several  rivers,  under  the  aforesaid  act,  will  probably  be  required  to 
be  expended  upon  the  surveys  of  said  rivers,  before  the  first  day  of  Sep- 
tember next ;  and,  also,  that  fifty  thousand  dollars,  appropriated  for  the  im- 
provement of  the  Great  Wabash  river,  will  probably  be  required,  before 
the  said  first  day  of  September  next,  to  be  expended  upon  the  said  river, 
and  that  the  fund  commissioners  be  notified  thereof. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 


.     Thursday,  April  6,  1837, 
The  board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present :  full  board. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Alexander, 
Resolved,  That  thirty  thousand  dollars  will  probably  be  Wanted  to  defray 
expenses  incurred,  not  chargeable  to  any  particular  public  work,  (viz :  clerk 
hire   office  rent,  wagons  and  teams,  camp  furniture,  &c.,)  up  to  the  first 


31  [259] 

day    of  September  next,  and    that   the    fund  commissioners    be  notified 
thereof. 

Mr.  Peck, who  was  appointed,  in  connexion  with  Mr.  McConnel,  to  draught 
instructions  to  the  engineers,  reported  the  following  : 

That  the  following  plan  and  instructions  shall  be  adopted  and  pursued 
by  the  principal  engineers  appointed  by,  and  under  the  authority  of,  the 
board  of  public  works  for  this  State.  The  secretary  of  the  board,  or  some 
other  authorized  person,  shall  notify  the  engineer  of  his  appointment,  and 
of  the  district  or  works  assigned  to  him,  and  request  that  a  letter  of  ac- 
ceptance be  communicated,  which  shall  be  filed  by  the  secretary  of  the 
board,  and  preserved. 

The  secretary,  or  some  other  authorized  person,  shall,  as  early  as  prac- 
ticable, make  known  to  the  said  principal  engineer  the  names  of  his  senior 
and  junior  assistants,  and  of  the  surveyor  to  accompany  him,  who  shall  be 
required  to  report  themselves  to  the  principal,  and  to  place  themselves  under 
his  instructions,  and  to  be  subject  to  his  directions. 

The  said  principal  engineer,  unless  otherwise  directed,  or  unless  the 
same  shall  be  furnished  by  some  person  acting  in  that  behalf,  shall  be  au- 
thorized to  procure  camp  equipage,  teams,  provisions,  utensils,  implements, 
and  stationery,  and  to  employ  rod-men,  chain-men,  axe-men,  and  the  other 
necessary  laborers  to  complete  an  engineering  party  or  parties. 

In  all  expenditures  it  shall  be  forcibly  and  strictly  enjoined  upon  the  said 
principal  engineer,  to  consult  the  most  rigid  economy  ;  and  that  he  be 
also  enjoined  to  take  duplicate  receipts  for  all  disbursements,  as  no  amount 
will  be  placed  to  his  credit  unless  he  shall  produce  a  satisfactory  voucher 
therefor. 

The  said  engineer  shall  be  directed  to  transmit  to  the  secretary  of  the 
board  an  inventory  of  the  articles,  camp  equipage,  teams,  and  utensils  in 
his  possession,  with  an  account  of  the  cost  thereof;  also,  a  roll  contain- 
ing the  names  and  amount  of  compensation  of  each  individual  of  the  par- 
ty, so  soon  as  the  same  shall  be  organized  ;  and  when  the  work  shall  be 
completed,  the  said  articles,  camp  equipage,  &c,  to  be  returned  to  the  care 
and  custody  of  some  commissioner  or  authorized  agent.  It  is  expected 
that  due  care  will  be  taken  to  preserve  the  property  of  the  State  from  in- 
jury: and  destruction. 

All  engagements  of  hands  should  be  made  upon  the  express  condition 
that  they  shall  strictly  obey  orders,  and  at  all  times  conduct  themselves 
civilly,  morally,  and  industriously,  while  employed  by  the  State  ;  also,  that 
they  shall  abstain  from  the  use  of  ardent  spirits  while  acting  with  the  party  ; 
and  that  a  breach  of  any  of  the  foregoing  conditions  should  be  followed 
by  immediate  dismission. 

The  principal,  or  one  of  the  assistant  engineers  of  each  party,  shall 
keep  a  journal  of  the  general  operations  of  each  party,  separate  and  apart 
from  the  field  books,  to  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  secretary. 

In  order  to  carry  into  effect  the  intention  of  the  Legislature  in  relation 
to  the  survey,  location,  and  construction  of  the  several  public  works,  to 
observe,  in  addition  to  the  requirement  of  the  laws,  the  following  general 
instructions: 

To  make  such  minute  explorations  of  the  country,  as  to  be  able  to  re- 
port under  oath,  that  the  "  most  direct  and  eligible  routes'1'1  have  been  ascer- 
tained and  selected  between  the  several  points  named  in  the  act. 

In  cases  where  the  designated  points  on  the  routes  cannot  be  commanded 


[  259  ]  32 

without  conflicting  with  the  provisions  and  conditions  contained  in  the  33d 
and  51st  section  of  the  act,  to  make  all  necessary  examinations  and  estimates 
on  routes  and  places  at  such  points,  and  to  report  all  the  facts  collected  in 
reference  to  the  difficulty  to  the  board,  for  further  instructions. 

To  confer  freely  with  the  members  of  the  board  of  commissioners,  and 
receive  their  directions. 

The  surveys  to  be  made  with  a  view  to  a  minimum  radius  of  500  feet  for 
curvatures,  and  a  maximum  grade  of  30  feet  to  the  mile,  approximating, 
however,  in  all  cases,  as  nearly  to  a  straight  line,  both  vertically  and  hori- 
zontally, as  practical,  without  incurring  unnecessary  increase  of  expenditure. 
In  the  construction  of  her  public  works,  it  has  been  the  policy  of  the 
State  not  to  embark  in  any  of  a  temporary  character,  or  of  doubtful  expe- 
diency, therefore  your  estimates  will  contemplate  materials  of  a  durable  and 
permanent  kind. 

The  estimates  to  be  based  on  a  road-bed  for  a  single  track  only,  except- 
ing in  approaching  and  receding  from  streams,  over  SO  feet  wide,  in  which 
cases  an  extra  width  must  be  given  to  accommodate  the  common  road  wag- 
gons, and  ultimately  to  be  used  fdr  a  double  track  rail- way,  and  excepting 
also,  at  depots  and  stopping  stages,  where  road-bed  must  be  accommodated^ 
to  a  double  track.  In  estimating  the  width  of  streams,  under  the  provision 
of  the  35th  section  of  this  act,  measure  from  the  top  of  the  natural  banks, 
in  the  direction  of  the  line  road,  without  reference  to  the  requisite  water 
way  to  be  given  for  the  stream. 

The  width  of  the  graduation  for  a  single  track  to  be  14  feet  in  embank- 
ment, and  15  feet  in  cuttings,  with  the  slopes  adapted  to  the  nature  of  the 
materials  composing  them. 

Section  12  of  the  act,  and  from  section  33  to  39  inclusive,  to  be  consider- 
ed and  taken  as  part  of  these  instructions,  and  the  estimates  to  be  based  up- 
on the  directions  for  surveys  and  construction  therein  contained. 

The  surveys  of  the  rivers  having  to  be  prosecuted  during  certain  stages 
of  water,  it  wiii  be  necessary  to  take  advantage  of  the  proper  stage  in  them 
to  make  the  necessary  surveys  and  examinations  of  these  under  the  laws, 
and  for  that  purpose  other  operations  which  do  not  depend  upon  these  un- 
certain contingencies  must  be  suspended. 

The  surveys  and  examinations  of  the  rivers  to  be  made  conformably  to 
the  directions  contained  in  the  12th,  and  so  much  of  the  18th  section  of  the 
act  as  relates  to  them  respectively. 

The  directions  and  requisitions  of  the  47th  section  of  the  act,  in  relation 
to  the  purchase  of  lands  on  the  routes  of  the  public  works,  of  course  to  be 
strictly  complied  with  on  the  part  of  the  engineers,'  directly  employed  by 
the  board ;  and  the  principal  engineer  to  be  required  to  impose  similar  re- 
strictions on  all  persons  attached  to  the  parties  engaged  in  the  exploration 
of  routes  under  such  orders  as  the  board  may  make,  from  time  to  time,  for 
that  purpose  when  communicated  to  them. 

The  acting  commissioner  on  the  line  must  be  frequently  advised  of  the 
progress  of  the  surveys,  and  notified  of  the  lands  necessary  and  proper  to 
be  obtained  by  the  State,  for  the  use  of  the  works  or  otherwise ;  and  also 
of  whatever  is  necessary  or  advisable  to  be  done,  to  insure  an  efficient 
and  economical  execution  of  the  duties  of  the  engineering  department. 

A  monthly  estimate  of  the  funds  necessary  for  the  service  of  each  suc- 
ceeding month,  and  of  the  name  of  the  work  for  which  the  same  is  re- 
quired, should  be  made  on  the  first  of  each  month,  to  be  forwarded  to 


33  f  259  ] 

the  acting  commissioner,  with  vouchers  for  the  expenditure  of  each  pre- 
ceding month,  with  an  abstract  embracing  the  names,  amount  paid  to  each, 
the  nature  of  the  expenditure,  and  the  aggregate  sum,  and  an  account 
current  showing  the  state  of  the  account,  and  on  what  lines  the  expen- 
ditures have  been  made.  Both  abstract  and  account  current  to  be  in 
duplicate. 

The  explorations  on  the  whole  route  to  be  minute,  and  such  as  will 
enable  the  engineer  to  present  a  detailed  report  upon  the  best  route,  and 
the  probable  cost  of  constructing  the  work. 

In  no  case  to  permit  a  camp  to  be  removed,  or  any  work  upon  the  line 
to  be  done,  on  the  Sabbath  day. 

In  case  of  difficulty  or  doubt,  the  advice  of  any  of  the  principal  engi- 
neers of  the  State  may  be  taken,  and  when  asked  for  should  be  given. 

No  engineer  should  absent  himself  for  any  length  of  time  from  any  line, 
without  notifying  the  acting  commissioner. 

Where  more  than  one  principal  engineer  shall  be  engaged  upon  a  con- 
tinuous line  of  road,  they  should  endeavor  to  adopt  the  same  scale  for  the 
different  maps,  plans,  and  profiles  prepared  by  them. 

To  report  upon  the  comparative  cost,  usefulness,  and  expedition  in  com- 
pleting the  work,  by  substituting  truss  work  for  expensive  embankments 
over  morasses,  abrupt  ravines,  river  bottoms,  and  other  difficult  passes. 

Ordered,  That  the  board  adjourn  until  to-morrow  morning,  9  o'clock. 


Friday,  April  7,  1837. 
Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 
Present,  the  whole  board. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Peck, 
Ordered,  That  the  board  adjourn  until  the  first  Monday  in  June  next 

WM.  KINNEY,  President 
O.  W.  Carruthers,  Secretary. 


An  abstract  of  the  proceedings  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public 
works  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  December  session,  A.  D.  1837. 

REPORT  OP  THE  BOARD  OF  PUBLIC    WORKS    OP  THE    STATE    OP    ILLINOIS 

TO   THE    GOVERNOR. 

Sir  :  It  has  again  become  the  duty  of  the  undersigned,  to  report  to  the 
Governor  of  the  State  an  account  of  their  proceedings  for  the  preceding- 
six  months;  a  period  within  which  so  much  has  been  accomplished 
towards  the  advancement  of  our  system  of  internal  improvements,  as  to 
encourage  the  undersigned  to  hope  that  the  public  has  reason  to  be  satisfied 
with  their  labors. 

The  splendid  predictions  which  the  history  of  other  States  had  encour- 
aged the  friends  of  improvement  to  publish,  promised  to  be  realized  at  a 
less  distant  day,  than  could  have  been  at  first  anticipated  ;  and  the  increas- 
ed certainty  that  our  State  will  in  a  few  years  be  threaded  by  railroads' 


[  259  ]  34 

bringing  a  ready  market  to  the  very  doors  of  oar  farmers,  cannot  fail  to 
enliven  and  cheer  the  patriot  and  philanthropist. 

'  Those  who  at  first  were  disposed  to  doubt  the  propriety  of  the  act  giving 
birth  to  our  system,  and  looked  upon  it  as  visionary  and  impracticable, 
and  were  incredulous  as  to  the  benefits  to  result  from  the  introduction  of 
railroads  into  our  fertile  and  flourishing  State,  already  begin  to  doubt  the 
Correctness  of  the  conclusions  to  which  they  had  too  hastily  trained  their 
miuds,  aud  are  yielding  a  more  cheerful  support  to  a  measure  which  is 
unquestionably  calculated  greatly  to  promote  the  public  welfare,  to  exercise 
an  entensive  and  beneficial  influence  upon  our  community,  and  to  open 
new  channels  to  the  currents  of  traffic.  FevV  at  the  present  period  are  so 
blinded  to  the  lights  of  experience,  or  so  deaf  to  the  voice  of  wisdom,  us  to 
be  ignorant  of  the  advantages  which  are  brought  home  to  the  "  business 
and  bosoms"  of  men  by  the  improvement  of  railroads;  none  will  deny 
that  they  enlarge  the  resources  of  society,  by  multiplying  the  facilities  of 
intercourse,  and  by  extending  the  circle  within  which  the  same  communi- 
ties may  act ;  while  at  the  same  time  it  enables  men  to  concentrate  their 
efforts  upon  any  given  spot  where  inclination  or  interest  may  lead.  Whilst 
they  reduce  distances,  they  extend  the  links  of  social  intercourse.  They 
furnish  to  localities  all  the  advantages  of  their  position,  and  secure  to 
them,  by  a  speedy  conveyance,  all  the  advantages  resulting  from  an  im- 
mediate juxtaposition  with  those  points  favored  by  nature, — with  channels 
of  intercommunication.  They  knit  together  the  interests  of  society,  and 
develop  new  and  manifold  opportunities  for  the  exercise  of  a  vigorous  and 
healthy  enterprise,  by  furnishing  sure  rewards  for  the  toils  of  the  husband- 
man. 

It  having  already  been  demonstrated  by  the  actual  success  of  railroads 
in  other  States,  how  advantageous  they  are  on  the  score  of  direct  pecuniary 
profit,  independent  of  their  vital  efficacy  in  accomplishing  salutary  changes 
upon  the  sentiments  and  morals  of  society,  it  would  seem  that  hence- 
forward none  but  those  who  close  their  minds  against  all  conviction,  and 
wholly  refuse  to  be  persuaded,  will  any  longer  withhold  their  support  and 
countenance  from  a  system  which  is  warmly  cherished  by  a  large  majority 
of  their  fellow-citizens,  and  which  promises  so  largely  for  the  prosperity 
and  happiness  of  all. 

That  there  should  be  great  eagerness  on  the  part  of  the  people  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  benefits  promised  by  the  introduction  of  these  improve- 
ments, is  not  surprising  ;  that  our  system  in  its  inception  should  have  been 
extensive,  is  easily  to  be  accounted  for ;  it  was  the  ready  result  springing 
from  a  great  desire  for  the  reception  of  a  benefit ;  but  that  the  system  will 
prove  too  large  for  the  interests  of  the  State,  leaves  room  for  serious  doubt. 
The  choice  of  these  channels  of  communication  having  been  already  set- 
tled by  a  judicious  compromise,  it  would  not  only  be  difficult,  but  obviously 
wrong,  except  upon  very  cogent  grounds,  to  attempt  any  great  changes. 

To  wait  until  a  sufficient  accumulation  of  business  at  any  interior  point 
of  the  State,  should  render  the  necessities  for  a  railroad  imperious,  would 
certainly  be  to  delay  until  the  exigencies  of  the  case  would  admit  of  no 
further  cavil.  But  in  a  case  where  the  elements  of  growth  and  prosperity 
were  abundant,  and  only  required  opportunity  for  expansion,  it  would  also 
be  acting  against  wisdom  and  in  defiance  of  experience,  to  withhold  the 
means  of  advancement.  "When  we  consider  that  the  currents  of  traffic 
and  of  personal  intercourse,  instead  of  being  confined  to  channels  where 


35  [  259  1 

only  water  could  be  made  to  flow,  may  be  led  over  mountains  and  through 
every  region  which  human  industry  has  enlivened  ;  and  that  the  "  prosperity 
of  cities,  instead  of  depending  on  the  accident  of  being  placed  on  a  naviga- 
ble stream,  which  can  float  its  commerce  to  a  vast  interior,  would  hereafter 
depend  upon  the  foresight  and  energy  of  their  inhabitants  in  forming  for 
themselves  the  channels  of  intercourse,"  by  the  aid  of  railroads,  it  is  not 
surprising  that  the  friends  of  internal  improvements  should  have  manifested 
a  great  degree  of  earnestness  to  furnish  for  all  parts  of  the  State  the  means 
of  advancement,  even  though  the  present  amount  of  business,  by  a  frigid 
and  narrow  calculation,  might  not  seem  to  warrant  the  expenditure.  The 
projectors  of  this  grand  scheme  were  well  capable  of  comprehending  the 
noble  results  which  would  flow  to  their  constituents,  and,  impelled  by  a  wise 
patriotism,  have  planned  a  way — a  sure  and  safe  one — by  which  our  State 
will  be  advanced  to  that  exalted  rank  in  the  Union,  which  a  kind  Provi- 
dence, by  bountifully  supplying  us  with  all  the  elements  of  prosperity,  des- 
tined us  to  fill. 

In  exhibiting  a  statement  of  the  expenditures  of  the  board,  it  becomes 
necessary  for  them  to  explain,  that  as  they  were  bound  to  hold  their  meet- 
ings at  the  seat  of  Government  on  the  first  Monday  of  the  present  month, 
it  was  impossible  to  bring  with  them  an  account  of  their  expenditures  up 
to  that  date ;  the  accounts,  however,  are  closed  to  as  late  a  date  as  was 
practicable.  The  expenditures  of  engineering  parties,  remote  from  the  resi- 
dence of  the  respective  commissioners,  for  which  vouchers  could  not  be 
furnished  in  proper  time,  and  such  other  sums  as  were  from  omission  and 
inadvertence  not  fortified  by  vouchers  according  to  the  requirements  of  the 
board,  have  been  included  under  the  head  of  estimated  expenditures. 

The  following  statement  will  show  the  amount  expended  for  the  preced- 
ing six  months  by  the  several  members  of  the  board,  as  shown  by  their  re- 
spective accounts,  audited  and  allowed  by  the  board: 

On  the  Central  railroad     -  -$11,602  02 

Peoria  and  Warsaw  road  -             -          ■  ■  *  3,519  48 

Northern  Cross  road           -  3,710  28 

Paris,  Shelbyville,  and  Alton  road               -             -  2,755  75 

Shawneetown  and  Alton  road        -             •             -  1,725  59 

Great  Western  mail  route  -             -             -             -  1,152  81 

Alton  and  Mount  Carmel  road        -             -            -  5,114  31 

General  fund         .....  10,645  32 

Improvement  of  Rock  river             ...  2,91606 

Estimated  expenditure  since  the  date  of  accouts  filed          -  39,136  20|- 

Total  of  expenditures       -  -  $82,277  82J 

Amount  received  ~  -  -  $132,628  31 


The  commissioner  of  the  fourth  judicial  circuit  has  received  from  Samuel 
Mundy,  in  obedience  to  an  act  of  the  Legislature  of  the  4th  March  last,  an 
unexpended  balance  of  a  former  appropriation,  for  the  improvement  of  the 
Wabash,  amounting  to  $2,826  12.  Since  the  receipt  of  this  sum.  $95  L  12 
have  been  expended  upon  contracts  previously  entered  into  by  Mr.  Mundy. 
Arrangements  have  been  made,  in  co-operation  with  the  commissioners  of 
the  State  of  Indiana,  for  the  improvement  of  the  Great  Wabash  river,  and 


[  259  J  36 

contracts  for  this  object  have  been  entered  into,  for  the  delivery  of  the  ne- 
cessary materials  for  the  construction  of  the  dam  and  locks  at  the  Grand 
rapids. 

By  the  vigilance  of  the  acting  commissioner  of  the  second  judicial  cir- 
cuit, the  surveys  on  the  Great  Western  mail  route,  between  Yincennes  and 
St.  Louis,  were  completed  at  a  very  early  day;  and  in  conformity  with  the 
law  in  this  behalf,  requiring  that  the  first  moneys  procured  should  be  ex- 
pended on  this  route,  contracts  to  an  amount  bordering  upon  one  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  have  been  let  by  the  acting  commissioner  of  the  second 
and  fourth  judicial  circuits.  From  the  reports  of  the  above  named  com- 
missioners, these  contracts  have  been  vigorously  prosecuted;  and  the  bene- 
ficial results  of  the  expenditures  upon  this  road  are  fully  appreciated  by 
the  community  immediately  interested  in  the  improvement,  and  a  pleasing 
earnest  is  manifested  of  the  certainty  of  the  completion  of  the  road,  and  of 
the  lasting  benefits  to  be  derived  from  the  use  of  it. 

The  active  commissioner  of  the  first  judicial  circuit,  availing  himself  of 
those  provisions  of  the  law  contained  in  the  53d  and  54th  sections  of  the 
act,  was  enabled  to  place  sixty-three  miles  of  the  Northern  Cross  road,  ex- 
tending from  the  Illinois  river,  via  Jacksonville  and  Springfield,  to  the  east 
bank  of  the  Sagamon  river,  under  contract,  with  the  option  of  paying  in 
State  bonds,  if  other  means  should  not  be  provided. 

The  fund  commissioners  having,  since  that  letting,  effected  a  sufficient 
loan  to  provide  for  the  successful  prosecution  of  all  the  works  in  due  time, 
this  road,  of  course,  will  receive,  out  of  the  funds  raised,  its  fair  proportion 
with  other  similar  works. 

All  the  contracts  which  have  as  yet  been  entered  into  on  the  part  of  the 
State,  have  been  upon  favorable  terms,  and  those  contracts  let  upon  rail- 
roads have  been  let  for  a  sum  which  will  probably  bring  the  cost  of  the 
roads  within  the  appropriation  made  by  the  Legislature. 

The  money  expended  upon  that  portion  of  the  Northern  Cross  road  put 
under  contract,  as  appears  by  the  report  of  the  commissioner,  amounts  to 
the  sum  of  $22,340  61£. 

Proposals  have  been  accepted  for  the  putting  under  contract  that  part  of 
the  Pekin  and  Bloomington  branch  of  the  Central  railroadj  extending  from 
the  Illinois  river  to  Tremont,  the  seat  of  justice  of  the  county  of  Tazewell. 
The  contracts  have  not  been  closed,  inasmuch  as  the  commissioner  charged 
with  this  road  was  desirous  of  obtaining  the  sanction  of  the  board  for  a 
higher  vertical  grade  than  that  previously  allowed,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
ducing the  costs  of  construction. 

A  memorial  has  been  forwarded  to  Congress  by  the  board,  asking  an  ap- 
propriation of  land  to  aid  in  carrying  out  our  system  of  internal  improve- 
ments, which  memorial,'  we  doubt  not,  will  receive  a  favorable  considera- 
tion, since  the  sale  of  the  public  lands  in  the  State  must  be  greatly  facili- 
tated by  the  prosecution  of  our  system. 

In  the  prosecution  of  their  duties,  the  several  commissioners  have  caused 
nearly  all  the  surveys  of  the  different  routes  to  be  completed,  or  so  far  ad- 
vanced as  to  have  them  fully  completed,  long  previous  to  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Legislature,  and  before  it  will  be  advisable  to  put  the  roads  under  con- 
tract. 

Every  precaution  and  pains  have  been  taken  in  the  experimental  surveys 
of  the  different  roads,  with  a  view  to  secure  the  most  direct  and  eligible 
routes  for  the  location  of  the  roads ;  and  they  are  pleased  to  report,  that,  fot 


37  [  259  ] 

the  most  part,  highly  advantageous  sites  for  the  different  roads  have  been 
found. 

In  the  prosecution  of  the  surveys  of  the  Great  Central  railroad,  (and  ex- 
perimental lines  have  been  run,  nearly  the  whole  length  of  it.)  the  engineers 
employed  have  found,  after  much  pains  and  careful  examination,  a  more 
favorable  site  for  the  road  than  was  at  first  anticipated,  and  the  undersigned 
feel  great  pleasure  in  reporting  that  this  important  line  of  communication 
is  feasible,  and  comparatively  easy  of  completion. 

The  surveys  of  the  Little  Wabash  river  have  not  been  prosecuted  from 
the  difficulty  in  procuring  sufficient  competent  force  for  the  purpose. 

The  surveys  of  the  Kaskaskia  and  Illinois  rivers  have  been  made  by  an 
officer,  under  the  direction  of  the  General  Government ;  but  the  report  of 
that  officer  in  the  premises,  has  not,  up  to  the  present  period,  been  laid  be- 
fore the  board.  It  is  feared  that  the  continued  high  stage  of  water  in  the 
Illinois,  has  rendered  the  survey  of  that  river  less  useful  than  is  desirable. 

An  examination  of  a  minute  character  has  been  made  of  Rock  river,  and 
it  is  believed,  from  the  reports  of  the  engineer  in  charge  of  that  work,  that 
an  improvement  of  this  stream  can  be  easily  accomplished,  and  within  the 
appropriation  made  for  the  purpose.  It  is  the  design  of  the  acting  com- 
missioner of  the  sixth  judicial  circuit,  to  prosecute  this  improvement  with 
all  that  spirit  which  its  great  importance  demands. 

The  undersigned,  in  the  prosecution  of  their  labors,  have  been  influenced 
by  a  sincere  desire  to  enable  all  parts  of  the  State  to  participate  in  the  ben- 
efits resulting  not  only  from  an  early  use  of  the  roads,  but  also  from  the 
expenditure  of  the  necessary  means  used  in  their  construction,  and  with 
this  view,  they  have  decided  that  no  other  contracts  shall  be  let  for  the 
construction  of  the  roads,  for  the  ensuing  six  months,  than  the  following: 

1.  On  the  Central  road  :  Miles. 
From  Cairo,  (northerly.)  twenty  miles  20 
From  Illinois  river,  (northerly,)  eleven  miles  -  -  -  11 
From  Galena,  (southerly,)  twenty  miles  20 
From  Illinois  river,  (southerly,)  eleven  miles  11 

2.  On  Shawneetown  and  Alton  road: 

From  Shawneetown  to  Equality  12 

3.  On  the  Alton  and  Mount  Carmel  road: 

From  Alton  to  the  diverging  point  of  the  Mount  Carmel   and 

Shawneetown  roads,  at  or  near  Ed  wards  ville  -  -  15 

From  Mount  Carmel  to  Albion  -  18 

4.  On  the  Alton,  Shelbyvilie,  and  Paris  road: 

From  Alton,  via  Upper  Alton,  northerly,  ten  miles,  so  soon  as 
the  necessary  surveys  are  executed,  to  determine  the  practi- 
cability of  the  road,  within  the  limits  for  vertical  inclination, 
adopted  by  the  board  -  10 

From  the  State  line,  via  Paris,  westerly,  eighteen  miles  -  18 

6.  On  the  Northern  Cross  road  : 

FroniQrUincy  to  Columbia,  in  Adams  county   -  -  -  IS 

From  Danville,  (westerly.)  eighteen  miles  18 

Not k.- -The  portion  of  the  road  from  the  Illinois  river  to  the 

Sangamon  river  having  been  previously  let  -  •  64 

6.  O  i  the  Peoria  and  Warsaw  road  : 

From  Peoria,  (westerly,)  twelve  miles  12 


[  259  ]  38 

Miles. 
Prom  Warsaw,  (easterly.)  twelve  miles  -  -  -  12 

7.  On  the  Pekin  and  Bloomington  road  : 

From  Pekin  to  Tremont,  (previously  let)  10 


Total     ------  266 


The  aggregate  specified  and  estimated  distances  amounting  to  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-six  miles. 

In  this  manner,  it  is  designed  to  proceed  with  the  roads  in  question,  un- 
til their  final  completion. 

That  all  the  proceedings  of  this  board  should  meet  the  entire  approbation 
of  the  public,  is  not  to  be  expected.  Perfection  is  an  attribute  to  which  the 
board  does  not  make  any  pretension.  They  have  faithfully  and  zealously 
labored  to  advance  the  public  interests,  by  all  means  within  their  control, 
and  to  carry  out  the  designs  of  the  framers  of  the  law,  in  a  spirit  of  truth 
and  justice. 

Their  labors  have  proceeded  with  unanimity  and  concert,  and  they  have 
been,  thus  far,  enabled  to  carry  on  their  designs  with  great  unity  of  purpose. 
In  bringing  this  report  to  a  close,  the  undersigned  cannot  omit  to  urge 
upon  the  friends  of  internal  improvement  the  exercise  of  a  proper  patience, 
in  awaiting  the  completion  of  the  works  contemplated  by  the  bill.  To 
press  forward  the  whole  work  with  too  much  zeal,  would  tend  to  increase 
the  expense  of  construction  to  a  very  considerable  amount,  and,  conse- 
quently, to  create  prejudice  against  the  system,  as  wisely  projected,  and  tc* 
cause  embarrassment  in  carrying  it  into  execution.  The  undersigned  are 
devoted  to  the  system  of  internal  improvements,  and  are  intensely  impressed 
with  its  importance,  and  of  the  vast  advantages  which  are  to  be  gained  by 
it  to  the  whole  State. 

Forewarned  of  the  difficulties  they  have  to  encounter,  and  of  the  jealous 
vigilance  by  which  their  acts  will  be  scrutinized  by  a  respectable  portion 
of  their  fellow-citizens,  they  intend  steadfastly  to  pursue  the  important  ob- 
jects intrusted  to  their  charge  ;  fully  persuaded  that,  out  of  their  labors  and 
the  labor  of  their  successors  and  coadjutors  in  the  same  field,  is  to  spring 
the  largest  measure  of  good  which  legislative  wisdom  could  bestow  upon 
ths  community, 

WILLIAM  KINNEY, 
PvesH  of  Board  and  Com.  2d  Judicial  Circuit* 
Me  McCONNEL, 
Commissioner  of  1st  Judicial  Circuit* 

ELIJAH  WILLARD, 
Commissioner  of  3d  Judicial  Circuit. 

M.  K.  ALEXANDER, 
Commissioner  of  4/ h  Judicial  Circuit, 

J.  WRIGHT, 
Commissioner  &f  5th  Judicial  Circuit,. 

J.  W.  STEPHENSON, 
Commissioner  of  6tk  Judicial  Circuit.. 

E.  PECK, 
Commissioner  of  7th  Judicial  CircuiL 
Joseph  Duncan, 

Gov-ernor  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 


39 


[  259  ] 


At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  of  the  State 
of  Illinois,  bsguLi'aud  held  at  Vandalia,  on  Monday,  the  4th  day  of  Decem- 
ber 1837.     Present  : 

Of  the  2d  judicial  circuit,  William  Kinney,  President, 

do.  Murray  McConnel, 

do.  Elijah  Willard, 

do.  M.  K.  Alexander, 

do.  Joel  Wright, 

do.  James  W.  Stephenson, 

do.  Ebenezer  Peck. 


1st 

do. 

3d 

do. 

4th 

do. 

5th 

do. 

6th 

do. 

7th 

do. 

Be  it  ordahirtd  by  the  Boa*d  of  Commissioners  of  public  works  of  the 
Slate  of  Illinois,  That  all  applications  to  this  board,  coming  from  persons 
other  than  a  commissioner,  shall  be  made  in  writing  and  shall  contain  a 
distinct  proposition  or  propositions' upon  which  the  board  may  be  required 
to  act,  and  shall  be  presented  to  the  board  by  the  commissioner  in  whose 
circuit  the  object  to  be  effected  shall  lie:  Profited,  That  if  said  commis- 
sioner shall  not  be  present  at  the  meeting;  of  the  board,  where  said  applica- 
tion is  made,  or  shall  refuse  to  make  or  offer,  said  proposition  or  propositions, 
the  same  may  be  offered  by  any  other  commissioner  present. 

Ordered,  That  Ebenezer  Peck,  a  member  of  this  board,  be  appointed 
a  general  agent  of  this  board  and  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  to  proceed,  in  the 
name  of  the  board  and  of  the  State,  to  contract  for  all  the  railroad  iron 
that  maybe  needed  for  all  the  railroads  in  said  State,  that  maybe  put  under 
contract  for  the  coming  six  months  in  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  that  he  be 
authorized  to  negotiate  for  said  iron  by  receiving  proposals  or  otherwise. 

3.  Ordered,  That  the  president  of  the  board  do  furnish  the  commissioner 
of  the  7th  judicial  circuit  (Ebenezer  Peck)  with  sufficient  funds  to  defray 
his  expenses  in  and  about  the  negotiation  under  the  authority  of  the  board 
for  railroad  iron,  spikes,  knees,  and  plates,  &c,  and  that  the  said  sum  be 
chargeable  to  the  general  fund. 

4.  Ordered,  That  the  fund  commissioners  be  requested  to  furnish  the 
acting  commissioner  of  the  7th  judicial  circuit  with  every  proper  facility  to 
aid  him  in  his  transactions  and  negotiations  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing 
railroad  iron,  spikes,  knees,  plates,  &c.,  for  the  use  of  the  State,  and  that 
this,  together  with  the  several  resolutions  in  this  behalf,  be  furnished  the 
said  fund  commissioners. 

5.  Ordered,  That  the  acting  commissioner  of  the  1st  judicial  circuit 
(Murray  McConnei)  be  required  to  cause  the  grade  of  the  Pekin  and  Bloom- 
ington  branch  of  the  Central  railroad  ro  be  increased,  so  that  the  said  grade 
shall  not  exceed  in  any  one  place  75  feet  to  the  mile,  and  that  the  contracts 
required  to  be  entered  into  in  January  next,  shall  be  so  made  as  to  allow 
of  said  change,  and  a  deduction  shall  be  made  in  the  ccst  of  said  work  in 
proportion  to  said  change. 

It  is  further  ordered,  That  if  any  of  said  contractors  shall  refuse  to 
enter  into  said  contracts  with  a  necessary  provision  in  relation  to  said 
change,  the  said  work  shall  be  advertised  and  let  to  contract  with  the  grade 
so  altered. 

6.  Ordered.  That  the  acting  commissioner  in  charge  of  any  specific  rail- 
road, together  with  the  o.ii  nissioner  at  the  lettings,  shall  have  the  dis- 


[259]  40 

cretionary  power  to  adopt  a  grade  exceeding  40  feet  elevation  to  the  mile, 
and  not  exceeding  100  feet  to  the  mile,  in  any  case,  which,  in  their  opin- 
ions, a  judicious  economy  in  the  construction  of  the  work,  will  warrant 
such  increase  of  inclination,  without  materially  affecting  the  permanent 
Utility  of  the  work.  And  also,  that  such  acting  and  associate  commission- 
ers may  subtitnte  temporary  inclined  planes,  to  be  overcome  by  additional 
and  extra  motive  power  than  that  necessary  for  a  grade  of  40  feet  to  the 
mile,  at  any  abrupt  depressions,  ravines,  and  declinations,  in  order  to  avoid, 
for  the  present,  the  expense  of  excessive  heavy  embankments,  deep  cuttings, 
or  expensive  viaducts ;  such  temporary  inclined  planes  to  be  located  and 
constructed  with  a  view  to  a  future  perfecting  of  the  work,  by  dispensing 
with  the  said  plans  and  adopting  such  embankments,  cuttings,  and  via- 
ducts, whenever  the  amount  of  trade  on  the  line,  and  the  interests  of  the 
community,  may  require  the  change  to  be  made. 

Ordered,  That  so  much  of  the  great  western  mail  route  as  lies  in  the 
3d  judicial  circuit,  be  transfeired  to  and#  given  in  special  charge  to  the 
acting  commissioner  of  the  2d  judicial  circuit;  and  that  so  much  of  the 
Alton  and  Shelbyville  railroad  as  may  run  through  the  county  of  Macou- 
pin, shall  be  put  under  the  care  and  direction  of  the  commissioner  of  the 
2d  judicial  circuit;  and  that  improvements  on  the  Little  Wabash  river  be 
assigned  in  special  charge  to  the  commissioner  of  the  3d  judicial  circuit. 

8.  Ordered.  That  this  board  estimate  the  amount  which  will  be  required 
from  the  fund  commissioners  to  meet  the  expenditures  upon  the  public 
works  for  the  ensuing  six  months,  at  the  sum  of  three  hundred  and  seventy- 
five  thousand  dollars,  and  that  proper  notice  hereof  be  given  to  the  said 
fund  commissioners,  and  that  the  entry  of  this  resolution  upon  the  records 
of  this  board  be  deemed  a  compliance  with  the  law  in  this  behalf. 

9.  Ordered,  That  so  much  of  the  Peoria  and  Warsaw  railroad  route  as 
shall  be  located  in  the  county  of  Peoria,  (the  same  being  in  the  6th  judicial 
circuit.)  shall  be  assigned  to  the  supervision  of  the  commissioner  of  the 
6th  judicial  circuit,  who  is  hereby  required  to  control  the  operations  on 
said  work. 

10.  Ordered,  That  the  several  acting  commissioners  be  authorized  to 
adapt  all  or  such  portions  of  the  railroads  now  authorized  to  be  put  under 
contract  as  they  may  think  proper,  to  the  use  of  animal  power  thereon, 
and  to  put  cars  thereon  to  be  propelled  by  such  power,  so  soon  as  any  part 
shall  be  completed. 

11.  Ordered,  That  the  president  of  the  board  be  requested  to  open  a 
correspondence  with  our  Senators  and  Representatives  in  Congress,  for  the 
purpose  of  obtaining  the  passage  of  a  law  for  the  benefit  of  the  State, 
to  permit  the  importation  or  purchase  of  railroad  iron,  spikes,  &c,  free 
of  duty. 

12.  Ordered,  That  a  committee  of  three  members  be  appointed  to  draught 
a  memorial  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Indiana,  requesting 
that  the  said  State  should  provide  by  law  for  the  creation  by  the  State  of  a 
railroad  from  a  point  on  the  Wabash  river,  opposite  Mount  Carmel,  to  New 
Albany,  on  the  Ohio  river,  and  also,  a  railroad  from  some  eligible  point 
upon  the  Wabash  and  Erie  canal,  to  the  State  line  of  the  State  of  Illinois, 
in  the  direction  of  Danville,  in  said  last  mentioned  State. 

13.  Ordered,  That  a  memorial  to  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  Indiana 
be  adopted,  requesting  of  said  State  the  construction  of  a  railroad  over 
that  part  of  her  territory  lying  between  Terre  Haute  and  the  Illinois  Stat© 


41  [259] 

line,  in  the  direction  of  Paris,  so  as  to  connect  the  terminating  point  of  the 
Wabash  and  Erie  canal,  with  the  Paris  and  Alton  railroad. 

14.  Ordered,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  draw  up  a  memo- 
rial to  Congress,  asking  the  donation  to  the  State  of  Illinois,  of  ah1  unap- 
propriated lands  lying  within  the  Congressional  sections  through  which 
any  of  our  railroads  may  pass ;  and  that  Messrs.  Alexander,  Peck,  and 
Stephenson,  be  said  committee. 

15.  < trdered.  That  the  extent  of  the  railroads  on  the  several  routes,  to 
be  put  under  contract,  for  the  ensuing  six  months,  shall  be  as  follows: 

1.  On  the  Central  railroad. 

From  Cairo  (northerly)  twenty  miles  20 

Illinois  river  (northerly)  eleven  miles  11 

Illinois  river  (southerly)  eleven  miles  11 

Galena  (southerly)  twenty  miles  20 

2.  On  the  Alton  and  Shawneetown  road. 

From  Shawneetown  to  Equality  -  12 

3.  On  the  Alton  and  Mount  Carmel  road. 

From  Alton  to  the  diverging  point  of  the  Mount  Carmel  road 

at  or  near  Edwardsville  15 

From  Mount  Carmel  to  Albion  .  .  -  -  18 

4.  On  the  Alton.  Shelby ville,  and  Paris  road. 

From  Alton,  via  Upper  Alton,  northerly,  ten  miles;  so  soon  as 
the  necessary  surveys  are  executed,  to  determine  the 
practicability  of  the  road,  within  the  limits  for  vertical 
inclination  adopted  by  the  board  -  -  -  18 

From  the  State  line,  via  Paris,  westerly  10 

6.  On  the  Northern  Cross  road. 

From  Quincy  to  Columbus,  in  Adams  county  -  -  15 

Danville,  westerly,  eighteen  miles  18 

Note. — The  portion  of  the  road  from  the  Illinois  to  the  San- 
gamon river,  having  been  previously  let       -  -  -  64 

6.  On  the  Peoria  and  Warsaw  road. 

From  Peoria,  westerly,  twelve  miles  -  -  -  12 

Warsaw,  easterly,  twelve  miles  12 

7.  On  the  Pekin  and  Bloomington  road. 

From  Pekin  to  Tremont  (previously  let)  10 

Aggregate  number  of  miles  -  -  -  266 

16.  Ordered.  That  no  portion  of  any  railroad  shall  be  placed  under  con- 
tract without  the  consent  of  the  board  :  Provided,  however,  That  any  por- 
tion of  any  railroad  authorized  to  be  put  under  contract,  may,  at  any  tinie^ 
be  re  let  by  the  acting  commissioner. 

17'.  Ordered',  That  hereafter  each  of  the  acting  commissioners  of  the 
board  shall  have  power  to  establish  an  office  or  offices  in  each  of  their  res- 
pective circuits,  for  internal  improvement  purposes,  when  they  may  think 
proper,  ;-,nd  shall  be  authorized  to  employ  a  clerk  or  clerks  in  each  of  said 
offic  s 

Ordered,  That  after  the  first  day  of  January  next,  the  appointment  of 
clerks  of  the  present  engineering  district  oifices  shall  cease,  and  the  said 
offices  and  appointments  shall,  from  that  date,  be  abolished.  But  the  dis- 
tricts for  engineering  purposes  shall  remain  as  they  now  are. 


[259  ]  42 

Ordered,  That  all  papers,  books,  accounts,  and  other  things  now  filed,  or 
hereafter  to  be  filed,  and  required  to  be  kept  in  the  district  offices,  shall  be  re- 
turned to  and  kept  in  the  said  offices,  to  be  established  in  the  circuits,  so  far 
as  the  same  may  be  applicable,  or  relate  to  the  public  works  in  said  circuit. 

Ordered,  That  all  certificates  and  returns  now  required  to  be  made  by 
the  said  district  clerks,  or  by  the  said  clerks  and  the  coaimissioner,  may  here- 
after be  made  by  the  commissioner  alone  :  Provided,  That  said  commission- 
er shall  not  be  required  to  make  said  returns  oftener  than  quarter  yearly. 

Ordered,  That  all  records,  books,  and  accounts,  applicable  to  any  part  of 
the  public  works,  over  which  the  commissioner  of  the  respective  circuit 
may  have  charge,  or  to  any  of  the  duties  of  said  commissioner,  shall  be 
kept  by  said  commissioner  at  said  offices  to  be  established  in  the  circuit. 

Ordered,  That  the  several  principal  engineers,  or  other  engineers  of  the 
district,  shall  cause  to  be  filed  in  the  offices  of  the  circuits,  copies  of  all 
maps,  plats,  profiles,  and  estimates,  and  all  other  things  now  required  to  be 
filed  in  the  district  offices,  of  all  and  each  of  the  several  parts  of  the  pub- 
lic works  passing  through  said  circuit,  or  over  which  the  commissioner  ot  the 
circuit  may  have  charge. 

Ordered,  That  all  let  tings  of  contracts  now  required  to  take  place  at  the 
offices  may  be  advertised  and  take  place  at.  the  offices  to  be  established  in 
the  said  circuits,  or  any  other  place  or  places  the  said  commissioner  or  com- 
missioners may  deem  proper. 

Ordered,  That  all  papers,  vouchers,  records,  maps,  plats,  profiles,  and 
other  documents,  applicable  to  all  and  every  part  of  the  public  works,  situ- 
ated within  the  third  judicial  circuit,  or  applicable  to  the  duty  ot  the  acting 
commissioner  of  said  circuit,  now  on  file  at  the  district  office  at  Belleville, 
Illinois,  shall  be  transcribed,  and  the  copies  filed  in  the  office  to  be  establish-, 
ed  in  the  said  third  circuit,  or  said  copies  may  be  filed  in  the  office  at  Belle- 
ville, and  the  originals  filed  in  the  office  of  the  third  circuit,  as  the  commis- 
sioners of  said  circuits  may  agree. 

Ordered,  Th  it  the  office  of  the  southern  district,  now  established  at 
Belleville,  shall  remain  as  an  office  of  the  second  judicial  circuit ;  the  dis- 
trict office  of  the  western  district,  now  established  at  Jacksonville,  shall  re- 
main there,  and  be  deemed  as  an  office  of  the  first  judicial  circuit. 

Ordered,  That  ail  resolutions  and  ordinances  heretofore  passed  by  this 
board,  coming  within  the  purview,  or  conflicting  with  the  provisions  of  any 
of  the  foregoing  ordinances  and  resolutions,  be,  and  the  same  are  hereby,  re- 
pealed. 

18.  Ordered,  That  the  principal  engineer  shall  be  held  responsible  for  the 
official  performance  of  the  assistant  engineers,  in  their  respective  districts; 
and  should  there  be  any  delay  or  damage  occurring  to  the  contractors,  or 
the  State,  for  the  want  of  sufficient  work  definitely  located,  or  grade,  or 
centres  given  after  the  location  shall  have  been  completed,  or  any  directions 
to  contractors  respecting  the  execution  of  their  contracts,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  acting  commissioner  to  direct  the  principal  engineer  to  take  the 
field  in  person,  and  immediately  see  that  the  engineering  duties  in  his  dis- 
trict are  performed  ;  and  should  the  engineer  refuse  to  obey  the  orders  of 
the  acting  commissioner,  respecting  the  performance  of  his  official  duties, 
lie  shall  be  liable  to  an  immediate  discharge  from  his  office.  It  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  principal  engineer  to  inspect  the  work  performed  by  the  con- 
tractors as  often  as  required  by  the  acting  commissioner,  and  approve  of  all 
materials,  before  the  same  shall  be  used  for  the  construction  of  the  road3and 


43  [  259  ] 

shall  certify  what  per  cent,  can  be  safely  paid  upon  the  work  done  by  con- 
tractors, and  shall  approve  all  bills,  pay  rolls,  accounts,  (fee,  connected  with 
the  construction  of  the  road,  previous  to  their  being  paid  by  the  acting  com- 
missioner. 

And  be  it  further  ordered,  That  the  acting  commissioners,  upon  the 
representation  of  the  principal  engineer  of  their  respective  districts,  of  the 
incompetency  or  wilful  neglect  of  any  assistant  engineer  in  performing  his 
official  duties,  as  directed  by  the  principal  engineer,  to  immediately  dis- 
charge the  same  from  his  office,  and  employ  new  assistants,  who  are  both 
competent  and  willing  to  perform  the  duties  incumbent  upon  them. 

19.  Ordered,  That  the  acting  commissioner  of  the  first  judicial  circuit 
be  authorized  to  cause  a  survey  for  a  lateral  route  from  the  main  line  of  the 
Northern  Cross  road  of  the  most  eligible  point  on  said  road,  to  the  town  of 
Naples,  on  the  Illinois  river  ;  and  that  a  report  of  said  said  survey  be  made 
to  this  board  at  its  next  meeting,  and  that  said  report  contain  all  informa- 
tion necessary  to  enable  this  board  to  determine  the  propriety  of  construct- 
ing a  lateral  way  to  said  town :  Provided,  That  the  point  of  commence- 
ment upon  said  Northern  Cross  road  shall  not  exceed  five  miles  from  said 
town. 

20.  Ordered,  That  each  commissioner  shall  open  a  separate  book  for 
each  work  under  his  charge  and  superintendence,  and  also  one  for  general 
expenditure,  and  that  he  debit  himself  to  the  fund  commissioners  of  the 
State  of  Illinois,  in  the  proper  book,  for  the  amount  of  any  draft  by  them 
paid,  and  pass  to  his  credit  the  amount  of  the  several  vouchers  by  him 
obtained  in  the  disbursements,  for  any  of  the  objects  under  his  superin- 
tendence and  control ;  that,  in  all  cases,  duplicate  receipts  or  vouchers  be 
taken  separately  for  the  different  objects  of  expenditure,  and  from  time  to 
time  the  commissioner  make  separate  returns  to  the  central  office,  from  the 
several  accounts  in  his  office,  and  in  all  cases  accompanying  said  returns 
with  the  vouchers  therein  referred  to;  that  all  disbursements,  whether 
made  by  himself  or  agent,  shall  be  made  in  his  own  name. 


To  the  honorable  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Public  Works: 

The  undersigned,  acting  commissioner  of  public  works  for  the  second 
judicial  circuit,  respectfully  reports  to  the  board,  at  then  semi-annual  meet- 
ing for  December,  1837,  his  proceedings  as  acting  commissioner,  for  and 
during  the  last  half  year,  as  follows: 

The  survey  and  location  of  the  Alton  and  Mount  Carmel  railroad,  which 
in  my  last  report  was  stated  to  be  in  progress,  have  been  completed  ;  and 
full  returns  thereof,  from  the  engineer,  are  in  a  course  of  pr<  pa  ration, 
and  will  shortly  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the  board,  as  required  by  law. 

The  survey  of  the  Belleville  and  Lebanon  branch  of  the  said  road  has 
also  been  effected  by  the  same  party,  and  the  results  will  be  returned  and 
filed,  in  connexion  with  those  of  the  main  line. 

The  party  which  had  been  engaged  on  the  foregoing  surveys  have  sub- 
sequently been  engaged  in  preparing  work,  for  the  commencement  of  the 
operations  of  contractors,  on  the  jobs  of  work  let  on  the  great  western  mail 
route,  between  Yinceunes  and  St.  Louis,  and  more  recently  in  preparing  for 
contract  the  line  of  railroad  between  Alton  and  Edwardsville,  on  the  route 


[  259  ]  44 

of  the  Mount  Carmel  and  Alton  road.  This  section  of  that  work  I  have 
advertised  to  he  let,  at  the  district  office  in  Belleville,  on  the  2d  day  of  Janu- 
ary next,  and  now  ask  the  confirmation  of  the  board  of  this  proceeding. 

That  portion  of  the  Alton,  Hillsborough,  and  Paris  railroad,  which  runs 
through  the  second  judicial  circuit,  and  attached  to  the  western  engineering 
district,  has  not  yet  been  surveyed,  excepting  that  part  thereof  which  lies 
between  Lower  Alton  and  Upper  Alton,  a  distance  of  about  two  and  a  half 
miles.  The  principal  engineer  of  that  engineering  district,  (Mr.  Bucklin,) 
who  made  the  survey,  has  reported  that,  on  this  portion  of  the  work,  there 
are  serious  obstacles  to  an  eligible  and  economical  location  withi  i  the 
limits  for  vertical  inclination  of  grade  now  adopted  by  the  board ;  and  it 
may  become  necessary  for  me  to  apply  to  the  board  for  a  special  order, 
in  regard  to  this  specific  work,  in  relation  to  this  subject.  I  have  to  inform 
the  board  that  the  citizens  interested  in  this  railroad  are  exceedingly 
anxious  that  the  necessary  steps  should  be  taken  to  place  a  fair  propor- 
tion of  this  work  under  contract,  simultaneously  with  other  works  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  board.  This  survey  has  been  delayed  by  circum- 
stances beyond  my  control,  and  I  presume,  and  believe,  beyond  the  control 
of  the  commissioner  of  the  first  judicial  circuit.  I  would,  therefore,  suggest 
and  request  that  an  order  be  made  for  letting  a  fair  proportion  of  this  work, 
so  soon  as  the  necessary  surveys,  location,  and  estimates  shall  have  been 
made,  and  the  entire  practicability  of  the  work  ascertained.  The  expenses 
of  the  surveys  of  this  work,  so  far  as  they  have  been  executed,  have  been 
paid  by  me,  and  will  be  exhibited  in  my  accounts  rendered. 

The  survey  of  the  great  western  mail  route  between  Vincennes  and  St. 
Louis  was  executed  by  R.  A.  Gilpin,  assistant  engineer,  and  the  plans,  pro- 
files, and  estimates  of  such  parts  as  were  designed  to  be  placed  under  con- 
tract the  present  season,  were  made  out,  certified,  and  filed  i-iccording  to 
law.  A  letting  of  the  work  on  that  section  of  the  route  lying  between 
Belleville  and  St.  Louis,  being  the  first  that  was  surveyed  and  ready 
for  contract,  was  had  at  Belleville  on  the  25th  of  August  last.  This  part 
of  the  line  was  subdivided  into  six  sections;  and  three  of  them,  embracing 
the  lighter  portions  of  the  work,  were  let  at  that  time  at  a  small  advance 
above  the  estimate  of  the  locating  engineer.  The  bids  received  for  the 
remaining  three  jobs,  two  of  which  embraced  the  heavy  and  expensive 
work  on  the  American  bottom,  between  the  Bluffs  and  St.  Louis,  were 
rejected  in  consequence  of  their  exorbitancy ;  and  these  jobs,  together  with 
some  other  jobs  on  the  line  east  of  Belleville,  and  extending  to  the  Kas- 
kaskia  River  bottom,  were  advertised  for  contract  on  the  9th  of  October 
ensuing.  At  this  letting,  two  of  the  jobs,  which  were  laid  over  from  the 
August  letting,  were  taken  at  a  reduction  in  cost  of  ten  thousand  and  two 
hundred  dollars  below  the  lowest  bids  which  were  received  for  the  same 
work  in  August.  But  a  small  portion  of  the  newly  advertised  work  could 
be  let,  in  consequence  of  the  bids  received  being  deemed  too  high.  The 
jobs  of  work  at  the  Kaskaskia  bottom,  and  at  Shoal  Creek  bottom,  in  Clinton 
county,  were  unavoidably  postponed  to  a  future  letting,  advertised  to  take 
place  in  January  next.  But  as  the  condition  of  the  said  road  at  these  points, 
and  particularly  at  the  former  one,  from  the  report  of  the  engineer  sent 
expressly  to  examine  it,  absolutely  required  immediate  attention,  to  prevent 
the  road  becoming  impassable  during  the  winter,  I  have  ordered  the 
improvements  to  be  commenced  by  a  superintendent,  with  instructions  ta 
confine  his  operations  to  canying  on  the  job  so  far  only  as  would  render 


45  [  259  ] 

this  point  passable,  until  the  work  could  be  let  to  a  contractor.  The  work 
has  progressed  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  engineer,  and  thus  far  fully  within 
the  estimates.  The  work  executed  forms  a  portion  of  the  job  to  be  let,  and 
the  amount  executed  by  the  superintendent  will  be  deducted  from  the 
amount  of  the  whole  job  to  be  placed  under  contract.  The  contractors  on 
the  line  of  mail  route  have,  thus  far,  prosecuted  their  contracts  with 
efficiency  and  success ;  and  I  am  pleased  to  say  that  the  operations  on  this 
road,  during  the  present  season,  have  given  great  satisfaction  to  the  people 
and  to  the  travelling  community,  and  have  had  the  effect  to  settle  public 
opinion  in  favor  of  our  system  of  internal  improvements,  by  giving  an 
assurance  of  the  certain  progress  and  final  completion  of  the  public  works. 

Upon  the  completion  of  the  survey  of  the  western  mail  route,  Mr.  Gil- 
pin, as  was  originally  designed,  was  transferred  to  the  party  engaged  in  the 
survey  and  location  of  the  Central  railroad.  There  is  but  one  party  of  en- 
gineers in  my  circuit,  consisting  of  the  principal  engineer  of  the  southern 
district,  and  Mr.  Terrel  and  Mr  Scheels,  assistants.  Mr.  Beach  was  enga- 
ged in  August  last,  as  a  junior  assistant,  and  has  been  engaged  in  the  office 
in  Belleville,  and  incidentally  and  occasionally  in  the  field.  These  o-en- 
tlemen  are  all  the  engineers  at  present  engaged  in  my  circuit. 

The  board  will  have  presented  to  them  my  accounts  for  receipts  and 
disbursements  up  to  the  first  day  of  October,  to  be  examined  and  audited. 
The  accounts  for  the  months  of  October  and  November,  I  shall  be  under 
the  necessity  of  deferring  until  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  board,  in  con- 
sequence of  not  being  able  to  receive  and  have  in  readiness  all  the  vouch- 
ers in  relation  thereto.  The  accounts  up  to  the  first  day  of  October,  are 
exhibited  in  the  monthly  statements,  (marked  "A,")  for  the  months  of  July, 
August,  and  September,  which,  together  with  the  accompanying  vouchers 
are  herewith  submitted. 

The  contracts  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  board  will  show  the  specific 
jobs,  and,  in  connexion  with  the  plans,  profiles,  and  estimates,  the  amount 
of  work  let  to  contractors. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

WILLIAM  KINNEY. 
Belleville,  December  4,  1837. 


Rail  Road  Office,  1st  Judicial  Circuit, 

December  1,  1837, 

The  undersigned,  Mitrray  McConnel,  one  of  the  commissioners  of  said 
board,  and  acting  commissioner  of  the  1st  judicial  circuit  of  said  State 
submits  the  following  statements  as  his  report  to  the  said  board: 

Since  the  last  meeting  of  said  board,  the  said  commissioner  has  caused 
that  part  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  situated  between  the  Illinois  river 
and  Springfield  to  be  surveyed,  located,  and  put  under  contract ;  a  report 
of  which  was  made  to  you  as  president  of  said  board  in  July  last,  which 
report  is  now  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  secretary  of  said  board,  and  is  here 
referred  to,  and  made  a  part  of  this  report. 

Immediately  after  the  letting  of  said  work,  as  shown  in  said  report  the 
contractors  entered  with  spirit  and  vigor  upon  the  performance  of  the 
work,  and  their  progress  since  that  date  gives  sufficient  assurance  of  the 
final  completion  of  the  same  within  the  time  limited. 


I  259  ]  46 

The  commissioner  has  spared  no  pains  in  procuring  the  right  of  way 
over  the  various  tracts  of  land  upon  which  said  road  is  now  being  located, 
between  the  Illinois  river  and  Jacksonville,  in  which  he  has  been  greatly 
aided  by  Mr.  Cloud,  the  clerk  of  the  western  district.  Tracts  of  land  have 
been  procured  for  the  use  of  the  State,  whereon  to  esect  offices,  depots,  and 
other  necessary  buildings  for  the  use  of  said  work,  both  at  Jacksonville 
and  Springfield. 

A  building  has  been  erected  at  Jacksonville  upon  said  land  for  the  offices 
for  the  engineers  and  clerk  of  the  western  district,  and  which  will  be  neces- 
sary, both  while  the  road  is  under  construction,  and  after  the  same  is  com- 
pleted. 

Since  the  report  of  July  last,  all  that  part  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad, 
situated  between  Springfield  and  Decatur,  has  been  surveyed,  and  that  part 
between  Springfield  and  the  east  bank  of  the  Sangamon  river,  has  been 
permanently  located,  and  put  under  contract,  (including  the  viaduct  over 
the  Sangamon  river,)  copies  of  which  contracts  may  be  seen  filed  in  the 
proper  offices,  as  the  law  directs. 

All  that  part  of  the  Pekin  and  Bloomington  branch  of  the  Central  rail- 
road, situated  between  Pekin  and  Mackinaw  town,  on  the  Mackinaw  river, 
has  been  surveyed  ;  and  that  part  between  Pekin  and  'Fremont,  the  coun- 
ty seat  of  Tazewell  county,  has  been  permanently  located  and  let  to  con- 
tractors, and  a  day  in  January  next  appointed  to  enter  into  said  contracts 
according  to  law. 

Owino"  to  the  great  distance  between  the  places  of  residence  of  some  of 
the  contractors  and  this  office,  and  owing,  also,  to  the  inclement  season  and 
the  press  of  business  in  the  office,  it  was  impossible  sooner  to  finally  com- 
plete this  business.  Said  contracts  will  be  filed  in  the  proper  offices  so  soon 
as  executed.  The  commissioner  would  recommend  that  the  grade  of  this 
road  be  changed  even  beyond  fifty  feet  to  the  mile,  with  a  view  of  lessening 
the  cost  of  construction,  and  the  contracts  were  deferred  to  procure  an  ac- 
tion of  the  board  upon  this  recommendation. 

Much  difficulty  was  encountered  in  the  location  of  this  road.  This  was 
principally  owing  to  the  great  and  sudden  elevation  of  the  country  in  the 
direction  of  Bloomington  above  the  level  of  the  Illinois  river  at  Pekin,  and 
to  the  high  and  undulating  surface  of  the  country. 

It  was  found  that  said  road  could  not  be  made  at  a  grade  of  forty  feet  to 
the  mile.  To  make  said  road  within  any  reasonable  cost,  a  grade  of  fifty 
feet  to  the  mile  was  necessarily  adopted.  From  ali  these  facts,  it  is  evident 
that  the  cost  of  this  road  will  be  greater  than  some  other  roads  in  this  cir- 
cuit. But  the  importance  of  the  work,  the  great  number  of  inhabitants  to 
be  benefitted,  and  the  great  extent  of  fertile  country  to  be  accommodated, 
will  justify  even  a  greater  expenditure  for  its  construction. 

Every  effort  has"  been  made  by  the  officers  and  engineers  in  charge  of 
the  public  works  in  this  circuit,  to  forward  the  same  and  ta  economize  in 
the  location  and  construction  thereof.  The  cheapest  and  most  eligible 
routes  have  been  selected  for  said  roads,  without  regard  to  individual  inter- 
est but  with  a  view  to  the  cheapness  and  permanency  of  the  work,  and 
the  general  good  of  the  whole.  That  those  officers  have  arrived  to  perfec- 
tion in  the  performance  of  their  several  tasks  is  not  pretended ;  but  it  is 
believed  that,  in  all  instances,  they  have  performed  their  duties  with  a  rigid 
and  scrupulous  determination  to  do  right,  and  to  strictly  guard  the  inter- 
est of  the  State. 


47  [259] 

The  first  surveyor's  company  entered  upon  field  duly  ahout  the  twen- 
tieth of  May  last.  Great  difficulties  were  encountered  from  hfgh  waters, 
continued  rains,  sickness  of  liar  ds  and  engineers,  and  a  general  want  of 
information  among  the  hands  employed  of  their  necessary  duties  in  this 
new  employment.  No  more  than  two  companies  have  been  employed  in 
this  circuit  at  anyone  time  since  the  commencement  of  the  surveys,  and 
part  of  the  time  only  one.  Yet  there  have  been  near  four  hundred  and'  fifty 
miles  of  approximation  and  experimental  lines  surveyed.  About  seventy-five 
miles  of  railroad  have  been  permanently  located  and  put  under  contract.  A 
great  portion  of  this  located  road  passes  over  the  broken  country  bordering 
upon  the  Illinois  river,  and  some  of  its  tributaries,  and  embraces  the  most 
difficult  parts  of  the  public  improvements  in  this  circuit.  In  addition  to 
this,  a  great  amount  of  work  has  been  done  by  the  contractors  between  the 
Illinois  river  and  Jacksonville,  embracing  an  extent  of  active  operations  of 
about  twenty-four  miles  in  length.  This  work  required  the  almost  constant 
attention  of  the  commissioner,  and  two  or  more  of  the  engineers  employed 
in  the  circuit. 

The  engineering  companies  were  discharged  about  the  middle  of  Octo- 
ber, and  the  expenses  in  every  possible  way  curtailed.  Several  assistant 
engineers  are  now  necessarily  engaged  in  making  profiles,  plans,  and  draw- 
ings of  the  works  now  under  contract.  They  have  as  yet  been  unable  to 
furnish  the  maps,  plats,  and  profiles  necessary  to  be  filed  in  the  office  of  the 
secretary  of  the  board,  but  the  same  will  be  made  and  filed  in  the  course  of 
this  winter. 

The  total  amount  of  money  drawn  by  me  as  commissioner  since  the 
first  commencement  of  my  services  as  such,  is  equal  to  forty-seven  thou- 
sand five  hundred  dollars;  and  the  total  amount  of  money  expended  bv 
me,  upon  all  the  public  works  under  my  charge,  since  the  first  commence- 
ment of  my  services  as  commissioner  up  to  the  first  day  of  the  present 
instant,  is  equal  to  thirty-three  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-six  dol- 
lars and  twenty-one  cents.  A  part  of  this  expenditure  was  for  mathemati- 
cal instruments,  horses,  wagons,  and  camp  equipage,  now  on  hand  and 
ready  for  use  so  soon  as  the  spring  opens  ;  but  by  far  the  greatest  portion 
of  said  expenditure  is  for  work  actually  done  upon  the  Northern  Cross 
railroad. 

This  expenditure  is  properly  chargeable  to  the  objects  hereinafter  named 
in  the  following  proportions,  to  wit :  ' 

To  the  general  internal  improvement  fund  -  .  <a>lo  gqi   oft 

Northern  Cross  railroad  from  Quincy,  &c.  .     ,22240  OH- 

Pekin  and  Bloomington  branch  of  the  "  5~  * 

Central  railroad     -  qq^  .,q 

The  reports  of  the  engineers,  consisting  of  that  of  Mr.  Bucklin  chief 
engineer,  Mr.  Hawn,  and  Mr.  Pollock,  senior  assistant  engineers,  accompa- 
nying this  report,  and  are  here  referred  to  as  part  of  the  same,  and  as  o-jV- 
ing  all  the  necessary  information  relative  to  said  surveys.  - 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

,      1       M-  McCONNEL, 
Commissioner  1st  Judicial  Circuit,  Illinois. 
To  the  Hon.  William  Kinney, 

President  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works 

for  the  State  of  Illinois. 


[  259  ]  48 

Yandalia,  December  4,  ]  837c 
The  undersigned,  acting  commissioner  for  the  3d  judicial  circuit,  has 
the  honor  to  report  to  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works  the  fol- 
lowing detail  of  operations  and  proceedings,  for  the  six  months  preceding 
the  1st  of  December,  1837,  and  also  the  amount  of  moneys  received  and 
expended  for  and  on  account  of  the  public  works. 

1.  Central  railroad. — No  surrender  of  the  company  charter  on  this 
road  having  been  made  according  to  law,  the  commencement  of  surveys 
was  delayed  until  the  passageof  the  acts,  supplemental  to  the  act  to  establish 
and  maintain  a  general  system  of  internal  improvements,  approved  July 
21st,  1837.  So  soon  as  this  authority  was  obtained,  the  engineers  com- 
menced the  examination  and  survey  of  the  route  between  the  mouth  of 
the  Ohio  and  Vandalia.  An  experimental  line  is  thus  obtained  through 
the  route. 

2.  Shawneetown  and  Alton  railroad. — The  surveys  on  this  route  have 
been  extended  from  Shawneetown  to  Big  Muddy  river,  and  a  definite  sur- 
vey and  location  been  made  from  Shawneetown  to  Equality,  a  distance  of 
about  eleven  miles. 

STATEMENT    OF    RECEIPTS    AND    EXPENDITURES. 

Name  of  the  work.                         Ain't  of  Receipts.  Ain't  of  Expenditures. 

Central  railroad    -            -            -  $4,500  $3,000  00 

Alton  and  Shawneetown  railroad  -     6,500  1,735  59 

Alton  and  Mt.  Carmel  railroad        -     1,500  1,732  26 
General  fund        -            -             -     1,000 

Note. — Some  acts  the  undersigned  has  not  been  able  to  have  transmitted 
to  the  central  office  in  time  for  this  report;  they  will  be  submitted  hereafter, 
The  whole  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

ELIJAH  WILLARD, 
Acting  Commissioner  Public  Works. 


SEMI-ANNUAL  REPORT  TO  THE  DECEMBER  MEETING,  1837. 
To  the  Board  oj  Commissioners  of  Public  Works  of  the  State  of  Illinois: 

The  undersigned,  acting  commissioner  for  the  4th  judicial  circuity 
would  present  a  semi-annual  report  of  the  progress  made  in  the  internal  im- 
provements of  the  State,  under  his  superintendence,  up  to  the  1st  day  of 
November,  1837. 

On  the  17th  day  of  April  last,  I  employed  A.  W.  Hoyt  as  principal  engi- 
neer for  the  eastern  engineering  district,  (as  stated  in  my  last  report,)  at  a 
salary  of  three  thousand  dollars  per  annum,  his  time  to  commence  the  1st 
of  May,  and  authorized  him  to  go  to  the  eastern  States  to  procure  assistant 
engineers,  mathematical  instruments,  &c,  with  a  view  to  the  organization 
of  two  engineering  parties ;  he  employed  R.  J.  Cleveland  as  a  senior  assistant, 
at  a  salary  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  and  A.  Bielaski  as  a  ju- 
nior, at  eleven  hundred  dollars,  also  C.  S.  Williams  as  a  sub-assistant,  at 
one  dollar  and  thirty-two  cents  per  day,  and  on  the  8th  day  of  June,  com- 


40  I  259  ] 

menced  the  surveys  on  the  Paris  and  Shelbyville  railroad.  On  the  15th 
day  of  Jane,  J.  K.  Rychliclri  arrived,  who  had  been  employed  as  a  junior 
assistant,  at  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  annum  ;  on  the  1st  of  July, 
Messrs.  Cleveland  and  Ryehlicki  went  on  to  the  Northern  Cross  railroad, 
and  Messrs.  Bielaski  and  Williams,  with  a  party  partially  organized,  con- 
tinued the  surveys  on  the  Paris  and  Shelbyville  road  until  the  15th  of  Au- 
gust, when  0.  T.  Arms,  jr.  arrived  (who  had  been  employed  at  fifteen  hun- 
dred dollars  per  annum)  and  took  charge  of  the  party,  and  the  approximate 
location  from  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  to  Shelbyville,  a  distance  of  something 
over  seventy-one  miles,  which  was  completed  about  the  1st  of  November. 

Mr.  Cleveland  finished  the  location  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  from 
the  State  line  of  Indiana  to  Decatur,  a  distance  of  eighty-three  miles,  on  the 
26th  of  October,  and  commenced  the  location  on  the  Central  railroad,  be- 
tween Decatur  and  Shelbyville. 

The  undersigned  advertised  and  let  contracts  on  the  Great  Western  mail 
route  on  the  6th  of  September,  for  the  improvement  of  the  Purgatory  swamp; 
the  contracts  to  the  amount  of  near  thirty  thousand  dollars  were  taken  by 
responsible  men,  considerably  below  the  estimate  of  the  engineer  who  sur- 
veyed the  work,  and  the  work  is  progressing. 

Contracts  were  also  entered  into  on  the  8th  of  September,  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  Little  Wabash  bottom,  on  the  same  road,  and  the  contractor  is 
prosecuting  his  work  with  efficiency.  Contracts  were  entered  into  at  the 
same  time  for  building  bridges  across  Fox  river,  Elm  river,  and  Raccoon 
creek,  at  which  points'  but  little  has  yet  been  done. 

Early  in  June  last,  Colonel  Thos.  H.  Blake,  the  acting  commissioner  of 
the  Great  Wabash,  on  the  part  of  Indiana,  and  the  undersigned  on  the  part 
of  Illinois,  employed  Mr.  David  Burr  as  principal  engineer  to  superintend 
the  improvements  on  the  river,  at  a  salary  of  two  thousand  dollars,  and  he 
has  since  been  actively  engaged  in  making  surveys  and  examinations  of 
the  river,  at  and  adjacent  to  the  Grand  rapids,  and  we  have  advertised  to  let 
contracts  on  the  22d  of  November,  lor  the  delivery  of  seven  thousand  cubic 
yards  of  limestone,  for  a  lock  and  abutments,  with  a  view  to  improve  the 
rapids  by  slack  water. 

The  undersigned  has  drawn  on  the  fund  commissioners  for  the  following 
sums,  viz:  on  the  7th  of  April,  two  thousand  dollars,  for  the  Paris  and 
Shelbyville  railroad,  which  was  paid  about  the  5th  of  June;  on  the  5th  of 
June,  two  thousand  dollars,  for  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  ;  on  the  21st  of 
June,  four  thousand  dollars,  chargeable  to  the  general  fund,  and  six  thou- 
sand dollars  for  the  Great  Western  mail  route. 

He  has  also  expended  the  following  sums,  viz :  on  the  Paris  and  Shelby- 
ville road,  two  thousand  four  hundred  and  fifty-five  dollars  seventy-five  and 
one-half  cents,  (a  part  of  which  sum  will  be  refunded  by  an  arrangement 
by  the  commissioners  of  Indiana,  for  the  time  occupied  by  the  engineering 
party  between  the  State  line  and  Terre  Haute,  in  ascertaining  the  proper 
intersection  at  the  State  line  ;)  on  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  one  thousand 
eight  hundred  and  eighty-eight  dollars  twelve  and  three-fourth  cents  have 
been  paid  out;  and  for  objects  not  chargeable  to  my  particular  work,  such 
as  wagons,  teams,  camp  furniture,  office  furniture,  mathematical  instruments, 
stationery,  salary  of  principal  engineer,  his  own  compensation,  &c.  &c., 
four  thousand  five  hundred  and  eighteen  dollars  fifty  and  one-fourth  cents. 
Leaving  a  balance  unaccounted  for  on  the  1st  of  November,  of  five  thou- 
4 


[  259  ]  50 

sand  one  hundred  and  thirty  seven  dollars  and  ninety-se%*en  and  one-half 
cents.     All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

M.  K.  ALEXANDER. 
December  4,  1837. 


Appendix  embracing  a  partial  report  of  the  operations  under  the  su* 
perintendence  of  the  commissioner  of  the  Ath  judicial  circuity  for  the 
month  of  November  y  1837. 

On  the  6th  of  November,  the  undersigned  drew  on  the  fluid  commission- 
ers for  ten  thousand  dollars  for  the  mail  route,  and  three  thousand  dollars 
for  general  expenditure. 

On  the  7th  an  estimate  was  made  by  the  engineer  in  charge  of  the  work 
on  the  mail  route  of  the  amount  of  work  done  on  the  Little  Wabash  bottom, 
and  two  thousand  three  hundred  and  thirty-four  dollars  and  thirty-three 
cents  paid  to  the  contractor  on  said  estimate,  withholding  fifteen  per  cen- 
tum of  the  amount  of  work  done  as  security  for  the  faithful  performance  of 
the  contracts;  an  estimate  was  made  of  work  done  in  the  Purgatory  swamp 
on  said  road  on  the  21st,  and  three  thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-eight 
dollars  fifty-seven  and  three-fourth  cents,  paid  to  the  contractors,  reserving 
the  same  per  centum  as  above. 

One  hundred  and  forty-seven  dollars  has  been  paid  out  on  said  road  for 
advertising,  printing,  engineering,  &c. 

On  the  22d,  contracts  were  let  for  the  stone  advertised  for,  to  be  delivered 
at  the  Grand  rapids  of  the  Wabash,  considerably  below  the  estimate  of  the 
engineer. 

Seven  hundred  and  thirty-two  dollars  and  thirty-four  cents  have  been 
paid  out  on  the  work  at  the  rapids. 

The  engineering  party  engaged  on  the  Central  railroad,  between  Deca- 
tur and  Shelbyville,  have  completed  the  location  between  those  points,  and 
the  party  disbanded. 

After  the  location  of  the  Paris  and  Shelbyville  road  was  completed,  the 
party  commenced  on  the  Central  railroad,  between  Shelbyville  and  Van- 
dalia,  in  which  work  they  are  now  engaged. 

By  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  passed  on  the 
4th  of  March  last,  Samuel  Mu n day  was  required  to  pay  over  to  the  board 
of  public  works  any  unexpended  balance  of  a  former  appropriation  for  the 
improvement  of  the  Wabash  ;  in  accordance  with  said  law,  he  paid  over  to 
the  undersigned,  on  the  24th  of  November,  two  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  twenty- six  dollars-and  twelve  cents  ;  eight  hundred  and  ■fifty- one  dol- 
lars and  twelve  cents  of  which  the  undersigned  paid  to  P.  H.  Bagwell  & 
Co.,  on  account  entered  into  by  said  Munday,  for  work  at  Coffee  island,  and 
one  hundred  dollars  to  Edward  Smith,  for  engineering  under  the  direction 
of  the  said  Munday. 

The  reports  of  A.  W.  Hoyt,  principal  engineer  of  the  eastern  engineer- 
ing district,  and  David  Burr,  principal  engineer  on  the  Great  Wabash,  are 
herewith  submitted  and  referred  to,  and  made  a  part  of  the  accompanying 
report  and  appendix  thereto. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

M.  K.  ALEXANDER, 

Commissioner* 


51  [259] 

.'5Tb  the  honorable   William  Kinney »,  president  of  the  boaof        public 
works  of  the  State  of  Illinois  : 

The  undersigned,  commissioner  of  the  5th  judicial  circuit,  has  the  honor 
to  report  the  following  statement  of  the  progress  of  the  public  works  within 
the  said  circuit. 

The  survey  of  the  Peoria  and  Warsaw  railroad  was  commenced  about 
the  middle  of  June,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  John  W.  Ingersoll.  Consid- 
erable difficulty  was  found  in  the  location  of  this  road  from  Peoria  to  Can- 
ton, and  also  at  tlie  crossing  of  Spoon  river  and  Crooked  creek.  Between 
the  two  first  named  points,  two  routes  were  carefully  surveyed,  and  esti- 
mates made  of  the  expense  of  the  road  on  each.  The  country  along  the 
whole  line  has  been  carefully  examined,  and  where  a  preference  for  a  par- 
ticular route  was  not  obvious,  approximation  lines  have  been  run  on  all 
that  appeared  plausible.  The  whole  route  is  believed  to  be  quite  as  favor- 
able as  was  anticipated,  and  the  expense  will  probably  not  much  exceed  the 
appropriation  of  the  Legislature  for  the  object.  The  survey  has  been  con- 
ducted with  much  skill  and  assiduity  by  Mr.  Ingersoll  and  his  party.  His 
report,  annexed  to  that  of  James  Seymour,  Esq.,  principal  engineer  of  the 
northern  district,  is  befors  the  board  of  public  works.  It  is  believed  that  a 
number  of  miles  of  this  road  should  be  put  under  contract,  so  that  the  work 
may  be  commenced  early  next  spring. 

That  part  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  included  in  this  circuit,  has 
also  been  surveyed.  The  report  of  Mr.  H.  P.  Wood  worth,  the  engineer 
having  charge  of  that  survey,  is  before  the  board. 

As  this  survey  was  not  commenced  until  some  time  in  September,  there 
lias  not  been  time  for  the  engineer  to  furnish  a  detailed  report  of  the  same. 
This,  with  the  necessary  maps,  profiles,  and  estimates,  will  be  made  during 
the  present  winter ;  and  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  undersigned  that  a  portion 
of  this  part  of  the  work  should  be  placed  under  contract  as  soon  as 
practicable. 

The  amount  of  money  received  for  the  public  works  by  the  undersigned 
is  as  follows : 

From  the  general  fund        .....   $1,000  00 

For  and  on  account  of  the  Peoria  and  Warsaw  railroad       -      4,000  00 
«  "  «         Northern  Cross  railroad  -      2,000  00 

For  sale  of  wagon,  purchased  for  Peoria  and  Warsaw  rail- 
road        ,.--..-.  70  00 


The  amount  expended : 
General  expenditures 
On  Peoria  and  Warsaw  railroad 
Northern  Cross  railroad 
Oash  on  hand 


$7:070  00 

■  $927  14 

■  3.524  23 
1,822  16 

796  47 

$7,070  00 

[  259  ]  rt 

A  statement  of  the  above  disbursements,  with  the  vouchers'  for  the  sattief 
accompany  this  report. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

J.  WRIGHT. 
Commissioner  of  the  5th  Judicial  Circuit* 
December  5,  1837. 


To  the  honorable  Wm.  Kinney ,  president  of  the  board  of  public  works  : 

The  undersigned,  commissioner  for  the  7th  judicial  circuit,  has  the  honor 
to  report,  that  since  the  meeting  of  the  board  in  June  last,  so  much  of  the 
Central  railroad  as  lies  within  his  circuit  has  been  carefully  and  accurately 
surveyed  under  the  immediate  superintendence  of  Mr.  H.  P.  Woodworth, 
assistant  engineer. 

The  surveys  of  Mr.  Woodworth,  under  the  direction  of  the  principal  en- 
gineer, have  been  extended  from  the  north  line  of  McLean  county,  as  far  west 
as  Rock  river.  This  survey  having  been  continued  beyond  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  undersigned,  it  becomes  necessary  for  him  to  explain  that  this 
course  was  taken  from  a  sincere  desire  to  advance  the  public  interests,  with- 
out any  intention  of  encroaching  upon  the  proper  duties  of  others.  Mr, 
Woodworth  and  party  were  already  organized  and  actually  in  the  field,  and 
had,  without  the  knowledge  of  the  undersigned,  carried  their  preliminary 
surveys  beyond  the  limits  of  the  7th  circuit,  and  it  was  then  thought  ex- 
pedient to  permit  the  survey  to  continue  as  far  as  Rock  river. 

The  preliminary  surveys  of  all  that  part  of  the  Central  railroad  which 
lies  within  the  7th  judicial  circuit  having  been  completed,  it  is  the  inten- 
tion of  the  undersigned  to  locate  several  miles  of  this  road,  extending  each 
way  from  the  Illinois  river,  early  in  the  spring,  and  to  put  the  same  under 
contract. 

In  a  communication  received  from  Mr.  Woodworth,  upon  the  subject  of 
this  road,  he  remarks :  "  So  far  as  I  can  judge  from  my  observations,  with- 
out going  into  the  detail  of  estimating,  the  route  is  a  very  feasible  one  ;  the 
grading  will  generally  be  easy,  there  being  few  cuts  or  embankments  of 
any  magnitude.  On  the  whole,  I  should  think  this  portion  of  the  Central 
railroad  would  be  less  expensive  in  its  construction  than  has  been  anticipa- 
ted." The  only  difficulty  attending  any  portion  of  this  part  of  the  road, 
is  in  ascending  from  th?.  valley  of  the  Illiniois  river  to  the  top  of  the  bluff; 
and  this  on  the  south  side,  of  the  river  can  be  easily  overcome,  but  on  the 
north  side  of  the  river  much  remains  to  be  considered  in  the  choice  of 
routes,  and  it  is  apprehended  that  it  will  be  impracticable  to  gain  the  sum- 
mit on  this  side  of  the  river,  without  adopting,  for  a  short  dislance,  a  grade 
of  at  least  one  hundred  feet  per  mile,  it  will,  however,  remain  to  make  a 
selection  after  due  examination,  from  all  the  routes  surveyed ;  and  in  this 
vicinity  a  very  careful  examination  of  all  the  routes  has  been  made,  no  time 
or  pains  having  been  spared  at  this  point. 

Mr.  Woodworth  and  a  proper  number  of  assistants  are  now  busily  em- 
ployed at  this  place  in  preparing  plans  and  estimates  of  the  several  routes 
which  they  have  been  occupied  in  surveying.  It  will  be  the  duty  of  the 
undersigned,  under  the  direction  of  the  board,  to  make  suitable  allowance 
and  compensation  to  such  persons  of  the  surveying  party  as  will  be  neces- 
sary to  aid  in  perfecting  the  plans  and  estimates  j  and  for  this  purpose 


53  [  259  ] 

the  undersigned  would  respectfully  suggest  that  some  just  and  equal  rate 
of  allowance  for  the  whole  of  the  persons  so  employed  in  the  State  should 
be  decided  upon. 

The  undesigned  cheerfully  bears  testimony  to  the  fidelity  and  zeal  of 
Mr.  Wood  worth,  the  assistant  engineer,  and  to  the  party  acting  with  him  ; 
by  their  untiring  diligence  much  labor  was  accomplished  in  a  short  period 
of  time. 

The  undersigned  has  expended,  since  his  appointment,  the  sum  of  six 
thousand  and  twenty  four  dollars  eighty-one  and  three-fourths  cents,  and 
has  received  on  account  of  the  Central  railroad,  the  sum  of  ten  thousand 
dollars,  leaving  a  balance  now  in  his  hands  amounting  to  the  sum  of  three 
thousand  nine  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars  nineteen  and  one-fourth 
-cents,  which  is  more  clearly  exhibited  by  the  accompanying  statement  of 
accounts, 

E.  PECK, 
Acting  Com,  of  7th  Judicial  Circuit 


Ih  ike  Hon.  Gov.  Wm.  Kinney,  Elijah  Willard,  Esq.,  and  General  Mil- 
ton K.  Alexander,  acting  commissioners  of  public  works  of  the  2d,  3d, 
and  Ath  judicial  circuits  : 

Gentlemen  :  The  undersigned  has  the  honor  to  submit  the  following 
brief  statement,  descriptive  of  the  general  progress  of  the  examinations, 
surveys,  location,  and  construction  of  the  public  works,  in  the  southern 
engineering  district,  which  have  been  intrusted  to  his  supervision  as  prin- 
cipal engineer  thereof.  The  field  operations  have  been  continued  from 
the  time  of  their  commencement  in  the  month  of  May  last,  until  the  present 
period,  which  circumstance,  together  with  the  attention  which  has  been 
iiidispensibly  devoted  to  the  letting  of  contracts  on  the  line  of  the  great 
western  mail  route,  and  to  the  subsequent  prosecution  of  the  contracts,  have 
rendered  it  impossible  for  me  to  submit  a  report  in  detail  at  this  time.  This 
duty  has  necessarily  been  deferred  until  the  closing  of  the  field  operations 
for  the  season,  which  being  now  done,  will  forthwith  be  commenced,  and 
prosecuted  with  all  possible  despatch. 

Of  the  Alton  and  Mount  Carmel  railroad. 

The  examinations,  surveys,  and  location  of  this  work  have  been  made, 
chiefly  under  my  personal  charge  and  superintendence,  assisted  by  Mr. 
W.  Terrel,  as  senior  assistant  The  preliminary  survey  and  location  of  the 
main  line,  from  Mount  Carmel  to  Alton,  was  completed  during  the  latter 
part  of  the  month  of  August  last,  and  that  of  the  Belleville  and  Lebanon 
branch  of  this  work  has  subsequently  been  completed.  The  party  have 
more  recently  been  engaged  in  making  the  final  and  definite  location  of 
th.it  portion  of  the  main  line  which  lies  between  Alton  and  Edwardsville, 
and  preparing  the  work  for  contract. 

The  requisite  plans,  profiles,  and* estimates,  preparatory  to  the  letting 
of  this  work,  will  be  completed  in  due  time;  and  those  for  the  eastern 
division,  fro  n  M/mtit  Carmel  westward,  can  be  prepared  within  the  time 
necessary  for  advertising  the  work  for  contract,  should  the  board  order 


[  259  ]  54 

any  portion  of  it  to  be  let,  without  any  additional  force,  beyond  what  will 
be  retained 'in  the  service  for  spring  operations. 

The  survey  and  location  of  the  Alton  and  Mount  Carmel  railroad  has  been 
made  in  detail,  and  with  a  view  to  its  definite  location,  and  it  is  believed  that 
there  will  be  found  little  or  no  necessity  for  any  material  deviation  from 
the  present  line.  At  a  few  points,  which  will  be  designated  in  the  detailed 
report,  it  may  be  advisable  to  make  some  further  examinations,  with  a  view 
to  minor  improvements  in  the  line,  but  these  will  not  affect  the  location  at 
points  designated  by  law. 

From  an  inspection  of  the  map  of  the  country  over  which  this  line  of 
work  passes,  it  will  appear  that  the  line  must  necessarily  intersect  the 
various  general  depressions  in  the  country,  nearly  at  right  angles.  The 
obstacles  which  this  feature  in  the  country  might  be  supposed  to  present,. 
to  a  cheap  construction  of  the  work,  are  few  and  of  limited  extent,  and 
are  easily  overcome  within  the  limits  prescribed  by  the  board  for  inclina- 
tions in  the  vertical  and  curvations  in  the  horizontal  line;  and  without 
increasing  to  any  material  extent,  in  any  one  instance,  the  distance  between 
designated  points.  The  numerous  valleys  which  the  road  intersects,  are 
Calculated  to  furnish  the  best  materials  for  the  superstructure  of  the  rail- 
way, thus  obviating  the  necessity  of  distant  transportation.  This  is  pecu- 
liarly the  case  with  the  Bon  Pas,  Little  Wabash,  Skillet  fork,  Kaskaskia, 
Silver  Creek,  and  Cahokia  valleys.  The  facility  for  obtaining  materials 
for  the  construction  of  the  work,  from  the  Great  Wabash  and  White  rivers, 
will  add  much  to  the  economy  in  the  cost  of  the  eastern  division.  The 
cost  of  graduation  of  the  whole  line  will  be  moderate,  and  particularly 
those  portions  immediately  contiguous  to  the  Mississippi  and  Great  Wabash 
rivers.     The  total  length  of  the  line  is  a  fraction  over  153  miles. 

Of  the  Shawneetoim  and  Alton  railroad. 

The  commencement  of  the  surveys  of  this  work  was  deferred  until  late 
in  the  season,  in  consequence  of  the  failure  of  the  company  incorporated  to 
construct  it  to  comply  with  the  requisitions  of  the  law,  in  regard  to  the 
surrender  cfthe  charter.  The  operations  on  this  line  have  been  under  the 
charge  of  Mr.  Lathope,  and  who,  as  I  am  informed,  has  progressed  to  the 
satisfaction  of  the  commissioner  in  special  charge  of  the  work.  Not  having 
received  any  recent  report  from  the  engineer,  I  am  unable  to  give  a  full 
description  of  the  operations,  or  of  the  nature  of  the  line.  But  I  have  the 
pleasure  to  state,  from  the  commissioner's  verbal  report,  that  the  line  so  far 
surveyed  is  of  the  most  favorable  and  satisfactory  character  ;  and  that  the 
work  from  Shawneetown  to  Equality  can  be  fully  prepared  for  contract^ 
and  made  ready  for  letting,  within  the  period  required  for  publishing  adver- 
tisements thereof. 

Of  the  Great  Western  mail  route  between  Vincennes  and  St.  Louis. 

This  work  was  surveyed  by  Mr.  Gilpin,  assistant  engineer,  and  the  por- 
tions of  the  work,  for  which  specific  appropriations  were  uiade  by  law,  and 
some  other  portions  which  most  needed  improvement,  have  subsequently 
been  placed  under  contract.  The  work  has  generally  been  taken  at  fair 
prices,  and  at  small  advances  above  the  estimates  of  the  engineer  on  the 
western,  and  at  prices  below  them  on  the  eastern  division  \  and  the  con- 


55  [259] 

tracts  have  mostly  been  commenced  and  prosecuted  with  an  energy  that 
gives  a  reasonable  assurance  of  the  completion  of  the  jobs  within  the  time 
limited  in  the  contracts.  Owing  to  the  difficulty  of  procuring  laborers,  and 
other  circumstances  beyond  the  control  of  the  contractor,  there  may  be  some 
exceptionsas  to  the  time  of  completion  of  the  jobs  to  be  executed  at  the  present 
season,  but  the  work  will  be-so  far  advanced  or  placed  in  such  a  state  as  to  pre- 
sent little  or  no  inconvenience  to  the  travelling  epmm.upity,  in  consequence  of 
its  unfinished  condition.  From  a  late  reconnoissance  of  the  whole  line,  for 
the  purposes  of  inspection  and  m  iking  estimates,  I  am  pleased  to  be  able  to 
say,  that  there  exists  a  manifest  disposition  on  the  part  of  the  contractors  to 
prosecute  their  respective  jobs  with  fidelity  and  all  convenient  despatch. 
An  estimate  oi"  the  probable  amount  of  funds,  requisite  to  meet  the  estimates 
of  the  present  month,  will  be  made  out  and  submitted. 

Of  the  Kaskaskla  and  Little   Wabash  rivers. 

The  survey  and  examination  of  the  obstructions  to  the  navigation  in  the 
former  river  have  been  deferred  by  the  State  authority,  in  consequence  of 
this  service  having  been  performed,  during  the  present  year,  by  the  author- 
ity of  the  General  Government  Those  on  the  Little  Wabash,  have  not  as 
yet  been  commenced,  for  want  of  the  adequate  assistance  requisite  for  the 
-organization  of  a  party  to  this  service. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

EDW.  SMITH. 

Vandalia,  December?,  1837. 


Vandalia,  Dec.  5,  1837. 
Hon.  Wm.  Kinney  and  Elijah  Willnrd.  commissioners : 

Gentlemen:  Herewith  enclosed  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  a  report  of 
the  operations  of  that  portion  of  the  Central  railroad,  the  engineering  de- 
part U3iit  of  which  yo  i  hive  done  me  the  honor  to  intrust  with  me.  You 
are  aware,  from  the  situation  of  affairs  On  this  road,  that  I  can  make  no 
very  detailed  report  at  this  meeting;  and  a  general  description  of  the  late 
survey  is  all  that  can  possibly  be  reported. 
.  Very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

J.  FREEMAN, 
Principal  Engineer  Central  Railroad. 

The  h'Morable  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Public  Works  : 

I  have  the  lienor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  operations  on  the  Cen- 
tral railroad  : 

That  portion  of  the  State  to  which  my  attention  has  been  particularly 
dire. 'ted,  is  drained  either  into  the  Mississippi  or  Ohio  rivers.  The  princi- 
pal w  iter  courses  which  discharge  into  the  latter  river,  are  Cash  and  its 
tributaries;  and  of  those  which  discharge  into  the  Mississippi  river,  the 
Kaskaskia  and  Big  Muddy  river*,  and  Clear  creek,  may  be  considered  of 
the  first  importance.  Gash  river,  in  its  lower  sections  runs  through  a 
series  o[  alluvial  swamps  and  flats;  in  its  upper  sections,  through  a  very 


[  259  ]  56 

elevated  and  broken  ridge  or  table  of  land,  extending:  across  the  country 
from  the  Ohio  to  the  Mississippi.  On  the  west  edge  of  this  table  of  land  aie 
the  sources  of  Clear  creek.  The  branches  of  Muddy,  on  the  south  side, 
also  take  their  rise  on  this  table,  and  run  in  deep  and  narrow  vallies  to- 
wards the  north,  to  their  debonche;  north  of  Big  Muddy  the  country  is 
more  uniformly  level;  and  even  the  division  ground  between  Kaskaskia 
and  Muddy  vallies,  is  of  no  great  comparative  elevation.  The  valley  of 
the  Kaskasia  is  very  extensive,  with  many  streams  intersecting  it  in  every 
direction,  tending  towards  the  main  river.  The  country  is  of  very  gradual 
descent  to  the  river,  and  the  channels  of  the  tributaries  are  not  greatly 
below  the  general  level. 

The  ridge  south  of  Muddy  is  of  sandstone  formation,  except  a  small 
section  of  twenty-five  or  thirty  square  miles  of  limestone  in  the  vicinity  of 
Jonesborough.  North  of  Muddy,  but  little  rock,  of  any  kind,  makes  its  ap- 
pearance. 

This  river  is  also  the  general  division  between  the  prairie  and  timber 
lands. 

Through  this  country  I  have  sought  a  passage  for  a  railroad,  according 
to  the  provisions  of  the  law  supplemental  to  the  internal  improvement  act, 
approved  July  21,  1837,  and  the  instructions  of  the  honorable  braid. 

By  examination  of  the  maps  of  this  portion  of  country,  three  routes 
would  obviously  present  themselves.  The  first  in  importance,  is  the  most 
direct,  leading  across  the  country,  and  making  use  of  every  means  which 
it  affords  to  obviate  the  difficulties  attending  the  transit  of  a  road  through 
a  hilly  and  intricate  region. 

Another  route  would  be,  to  avoid  the  higher  ground,  by  taking  a  more 
westwardly  direction  through  the  Mississippi  bottom,  until  egress  would  be 
easy. 

And  a  third,  to  pass  very  considerably  to  the  east,  and  avoid  the  intrica- 
cies of  Cash  river. 

Owing,  however,  to  the  advancement  of  the  season  when  the  Legislature 
had  authorized  the  prosecution  of  the  work,  the  full  examination  of  all 
these  routes  could  not  be  had,  and  my  instrumental  surveys  have  been 
confined  to  the  first  mentioned  route. 

The  following  is  a  brief  description  of  the  course  of  this  line:  It  will 
leave  Cairo,  and  follow  up  the  Mississippi  and  Cash  river  bottom,  to  near 
the  big  bend  of  Cash,  where  a  small  creek  (Canelly)  and  one  of  its  branches 
are  made  use  of  to  advance  the  line.  From  the  head  of  this  creek,  the 
course  is  down  a  branch  of  Cooper's  creek,  crossing  the  latter,  and  run- 
ning in  the  valley  of  Mill  creek.  Mill  creek  is  used  to  its  extreme  source 
on  the  ridge  dividing  it  from  Clear  creek.  This  ridge  is  crossed,  and  the 
course  pursued  down  a  branch  of  Clear  creek  to  its  junction  with  another 
branch  coming  in  from  the  north,  up  which  the  course  is  directed  to  the 
main  summit  of  the  country.  This  high  ground  is  kept  to  the  head  of 
Drury  creek,  whose  valley  is  occupied  throughout  its  whole  length  to  Crab 
Orchard  creek. 

Crossing  Crab  Orchard,  and  the  ridge  dividing  it  from  Muddy,  we  ar- 
rive at  the  latter  stream  above  the  mouth  of  Little  Muddy.  The  high 
ground  between  the  Middle  fork  and  Little  Muddy  is  then  occupied  to 
Crooked  creek,  a  considerable  tributary  of  the  Kaskaskia  river.  This,  as  well 
as  the  East  fork,  North  fork,  Patoka,  and  Richland  creek,  are  crossed  trans- 
versely.    Hickory  creek  is  passed  in  the  bottom  common  to  it  and  the  Kas- 


57  [  259  ] 

kaskia  river.  The  Kaskaskia  is  crossed  a  short  distance  below  Vandalia, 
and  the  entrance  effected  by  aid  of  a  depression  on  the  south  edge  of  the 
town. 

The  season  being  far  advanced,  the  surveys  were  closed  until  they  can 
be  resumed  with  advantage. 

On  this  line,  advantageous  grades,  with  easy  curves,  can  be  generally 
obtained  ;  but  a  comparison  cannot  be  instituted  with  the  other  routes  until 
further  surveys  can  be  had. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

J.  FREEMAN, 
Chief  Engineer  Central  Railroad. 
Vandalia,  5th  December,  1837. 


Eastern  Engineering  District  Office, 

Paris,  Edgar  Co.,  Illinois,  Dec.  1,  1837. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  arrived  at  Paris  on  the  15th  November,  the  day  you  left 
for  the  Wabash  river. 

At  the  railroad  office,  I  found  my  assistant,  Mr.  Arms,  who  informed  me 
of  your  wish  to  have  "a  statement  of  the  progress  made  in  the  surveys,  with 
a  rough  estimate  of  the  cost  of  constructing  the  cross  railroads  in  the 
eastern  engineering  district  of  the  State,  with  the  model  of  the  track  as  re- 
commended for  adoption,  and  forwarded  to  Vandalia  on  or  before  the  3d 
December,"  to  enable  you  to  report  to  the  board  of  public  works  of  the 
State  of  Illinois. 

I  have  been  incessantly  employed  since  my  arrival,  in  fulfilling  your 
orders,  and  I  herewith  transmit  the  result. 

The  approximate  location  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  from  the  eastern 
line  of  the  State,  in  the  direction  of  Lafayette,  in  Indiana,  to  Decatur,  Ma- 
con county,  Illinois,  is  completed.  This  line  commences  at  a  point  on  the 
eastern  line  of  the  State,  about  four  miles  north  of  a  direct  line  from  Dan- 
ville, Vermillion  county,  Illinois,  to  Lafayette,  Indiana,  and  runs  straight 
to  Danville.  At  Danville  there  are  two  curves  of  4.000  feet  radius  each, 
which  carries  the  line  through  the  town  and  over  the  Big  Vermillion  river  ; 
thence  the  line  runs  straight  6J  miles,  to  Butler's  point,  where  there  ia 
another  curve,  of  6,000  feet  radius;  thence  straight  171  miles,  to  the  town 
of  Sydney.  At  Sydney  there  is  a  curve  of  10,000  feet  radius,  of  9  degrees ; 
from  that  curve  the  line  is  straight  47f  miles,  to  Decatur. 

There  are  but  two  obstacles,  worthy  of  note,  to  the  construction  of  a  rail- 
road upon  the  hue  surveyed.  The  first  is  the  passing  of  the  Big  Vermil- 
lion river,  near  Danville  ;  the  second,  the  crossing  of  the  Sangamon  river,  6 
miles  east  of  Decatur.  At  the  former  place,  1  have  estimated  a  bridge  of 
2^0  feet  in  length ;  and  at  the  latter,  250  feet.  Both  bridges  to  be  buiit  upon 
Long's  plan,  treble  bracing  for  the  middle  stringers,  to  be  supported  by  tim- 
ber pyramids,  based  on  stone  work. 

The  superstructure  of  the  road  I  have  estimated  to  be  built  according  to 
the  model  forwarded  to  you.     For  details,  I  refer  you  to  the  estimate. 

The  approximate  location  of  the  Central  branch  railroad,  from  Shelby  - 
ville,  Shelby  county,  to  the  Slate  line,  between  Paris,  Edgar  county,  and 
Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  is  also  completed  ;  and  that  part  between  Paris  and 


[  259  ]  58 

the  Stale  line,  is  definitely  located  for  grubbing  and  clearing.  I  have  also 
continued  the  approximate  location  of  the  road  from  the  State  line  10  Terre 
Haute,  and  forwarded  an  estimate  (a  copy  is  transmitted  to  yon)  to  Col.  T. 
H.  Blake,  canal  commissioner  for  the  State  of  Indiana,  with  a  plan  of  the 
line  surveyed. 

The  location  of  the  Central  branch  railroad  commences  upon  the  east 
line  of  the  State,  as  before  stated,  and  runs  10  miles  2,080  feet,  to  Paris, 
with  but  one  curve,  and  that  is  of  4,1.00  feet  radius.  From  Paris  to 
Charleston,  27  miles,  the  line  is  straight ;  and  as  the  grade  descends  from 
Paris  to  the  Embarrass  river,  and  ascends  again  to  Charleston,  a  telescope 
at  either  depot  will  command  a  constant  view  of  the  entire  road  between 
these  two  points  ;  an  advantage  which  but  few  roads  possess.  Thirty-two 
miles  of  the  line  between  Charleston  and  Shelby ville  are  straight;  and 
there  is  no  curve  less  than  4,000  feet  radius  between  these  two  points. 

There  are  but  three  expensive  points  to  be  encountered  upon  the  entire 
line.  The  first,  is  passing  the  Sugar  creek,  near  Paris,  for  which  a  bridge 
of  500  feet  in  length  is  contemplated :  the  second,  the  passing  of  the  Em- 
barrass river,  near  Charleston,  for  which  a  bridge  of  400  feet  is  required, 
and  two  heavy  embankments:  the  last,  the  crossing  of  the  Kaskaskia  river, 
for  which  a  bridge  of  1,000  feet  in  length,  with  two  heavy  embankments, 
is  estimated. 

The  approximate  location  of  the  Central  railroad,  from  Decatur  to 
Shelby  ville,  is  completed,  and  the  surveying  corps  disbanded  ;  leaving  but 
one  engineering  party  now  employed  in  the  field,  who  are  engaged  upon 
the  surveys  of  the  Cential  railroad  between  Shelbyville  and  Yandalia. 

The  estimates  annexed  were  computed  without  a  careful  adjustment  of 
the  grade,  (which  a  want  of  time  prevented,)  which  gives  the  quantity  of 
work  more  than  it  will  probably  be  when  the  definite  location  is  completed; 
but  I  believe  they  are  sufficiently  accurate  for  your  present  use. 

I  have  estimated  the  timber  for  the  track  at  different  prices,  to  correspond 
as  nearly  as  possible  to  the  difference  of  transportation  :  that  near  Paris 
being  the  lowest,  as  steam  saw  mills  will  be  erected  there,  on  the  line  of 
the  road,  to  saw  much  of  the  timber  to  be  used  between  the  State  line  and 
Charleston. 

Plans,  profiles,  drawings,  and  models,  of  all   the  surveys  and   form  of 
construction,  are  in  progress  ;  and  I  hope,  ere  long,  to  give  an  estimate,  in 
detail,  and  report  to  the  "board  of  public  works  of  the  State  of  Illinois. 
Very  respectfully,  yours, 

ARTHUR  W.  HOYT, 
Engineer  of  the  Eastern  Engineering  District, 

State  of  Illinois. 
General  M.  K.  Alexander, 

Commissioner  of  tlte  Board  of  Public  Works, 

Stale  of  JllinoiSffor  t/u  Fourth  Judicial  District* 


59 


[  259  ] 


CENTRAL    BRANCH    RAILROAD. 


Length  from  the  eastern  line  of  the  State  to  Shelby ville,  Shelby  county \ 
Illinois,  71  miles  3,265  feet. 


Inclination  of  ihe 

planes, 

pe 

*  mile, 

in  feet. 

Length  of  the  inclination. 

Miles. 

Feet. 

Level 

_ 

- 

. 

.. 

11 

1,843 

From 

OtolO 

- 

- 

_ 

27 

2,966 

10  to  20 

. 

- 

- 

23 

4.985 

20  to  40 

- 

- 

- 

8 

4,031 

ESTIMATE  of  the  branch  of  the  Central  railroad  from,  the  State  line, 
between  Paris  and  Terre  Haute,  to  Shelbyville,  Shelby  county,  Illi- 
nois. 


PROM    THE    STATE    LINE    TO    PARIS. 

11,320  rods  grubbing  and  clearing,  at  62^  cents 
per  rod        -  -  -  - 

101,832  yards  borrowed  earth,  for  embank- 
ment, at  14  cents  per  yard  - 

3,196  yards  excavation,  to  be  put  into  embank- 
ment, at  24  cents  per  yard  - 

16,542  yards  excavation,  to  be  wasted,  at  14 
cents  per  yard         - 

20  wooden  culverts,  at  $60  each 

670  perches  stone  work,  for  culverts,  at  $5  per 
perch  -  - 

No.  1. —  Wooden  bridge. 

Trestle  work        -  -  -      $625  00 

400  feet  bridging,  at  $15  per  foot, 

Long's  plan  '    -  -  -      6,000  00 


Amount  of  first  bridge 

No.  2. —  Wooden  bridge. 

134  perches  stone  work  foundation,  at  $6  per 

perch,  beds  hammer  dressed      -      $804  00 

Trestle  work        -  -  -        625  00 


$7,075  00 

14,256  4S 

7,671  84 


2.315  88 
1,200  00 

3,350  00 


6,625  00 


[  259  ] 


60 


ESTIMATE— Continued. 


500  feet  bridging-,  at  $15  per  foot, 

Long's  plan  *"  -             -            -     $7,500  00 

$8,929  00 

Amount  of  second  bridge 

Amount  for  grading   - 

$51,423  20 

Which  is  equal  to  $4,947  41  per  mile. 

Superstructure. 

Timber.— Stringers  at  $20  per  M,  mud  sills 

and  splice  pieces,  at  $14  per  M,  keys  at  2 

cents  each,  sleepers  at  14  cents  each ;  making 

the  cost  of  one  mile  of  timber  -   $1,261  81 

Iron. — Rails  per  mile, 

22  tons,  at  $100  per 

ton             -            -  $22,000  00 

877  plates,  8  ounces 

each,  438J  pounds, 

at    12    cents     per 

pound        -            -           52  62 

7.038  spikes,  4  \  inches 

in  length,  2.21  oun- 

ceseach,971  pounds, 

at    14     cents     per 

pound       -            -         135  94 

Loss  on  iron,  \  per  ct., 

being  for  spikes  at 

the  joints    of    the 

rails,  &c.   -             -            11  94 

Per  mile        -          _               2,400  50 

Rail  laying:  320  rods,  at  $2  50 

per  rod              ...        800  00 

4,462  31 

Amount  per  mile 

10  miles  2,080  feet,  the-distance  from  the  State 

line  to  Paris,  at  $4,462  31  per  mile 

„ 

46,380  97 

Passenger,  merchandise,  and  engine  depot  at 

Paris,  including  turn  outs  and  turning  ta- 

bles.  The  engine  house  to  be  built  of  brick, 

for  four  engines,  and  machine  shop  also  of 

brick           -'--.-_- 

- 

8,500  00 

Amount           - 

106,304  17 

Which  is  equal  to  $10,227  51  per  mile. 

1 

01 


[259] 


ESTIMATE— Continued, 


PROM    PARIS    TO   CHARLESTON. 

4,375  rods  grubbing  and  clearing,  at  62|  cents 
per  rod        - 

398,204  yards  embankment,  borrowed  earth,  at 
14  cents  per  yard    - 

121,211  yards  excavation,  to  be  put  into  em- 
bankment, at  24  cents  per  yard 

46,756  yards  excavation,  to  be  wasted,  at  14 
cents  per  yard         -  '         -  -  - 

32  wooden  culverts,  at  $70  each 

420  perches  stone  work,  for  culverts,  at  $5  per 
perch  -_...«. 

Embarrass  river  bridge. 

810  perches  of  stone  work  for  piers,  for  tres- 
tles, beds  hammer  dressed,  at  $6  per 
perch    -  $4,860  00 

Foundations  for  stone  work  -         300  00 

2   trestle    and    bolster   frames,  at 

$1,000  each      -  -  -      2,000  00 

400  feet  bridging,  at  $18  per  foot  -      7,200  00 


Amount  of  the  bridge 

Amount  for  grading 
Which  is  equal  to  $4,188  49  per  mile. 

Superstructure, 

Stringers,  $30;  mud  sills  and  splice  pieces, 
$25  per  M ;  sleepers,  25  cents  each ;  keys, 
2  cents  each  ;  making  the  cost  of  one  mile 
of  timber  -  -  -    $2,039  90 

Iron,  per  mile,  as  on  page  No.  60, 
viz:      - 

Kail  laying,  per  mile,  as  on  page 

No.  60,  viz:      -  -  -        800  00 

Amount  for  1  mile 

Amount  for  27  miles 
Depot  similar  to  the  one  in  Paris  - 

Amount     -  -  - 

Which  is  equal  to  $9,733  71  per  mile. 


2,400  50 


$2,734  37 

55,748  56 

29,090  64 

6,545  84 
2,240  00 

2,100  00 


14,360  00 


$112,819  41 


5,240  40 


141,490  80 

8,500  oa 


262,810  21 


C  259  ] 


82 


ESTIMATE— Continued. 


FROM    CHARLESTON    TO    SHELBYVILLfi* 

4,400  rods  grubbing  and  clearing,  at  62J  cents 
per  rod 

356,479  yards  borrowed  earth,  for  embank- 
ment, at  14  cents  per  yard  - 

44,969  yards  excavation,  to  be  put  into  em- 
bankment, at  24  cents  per  yard 

45,012  yards  of  excavation,  to  be  wasted,  at 
14  cents  per  yard    -..'<.'.,.«/__. 

504  perches  of  stone  work,  for  culverts,  at  $5 
per  perch  ~  '-         ■   -  ;      ,  *  ■ ,        .> 

40  wooden  culverts,  at  $70  each 


No.  1. —  Wooden  bridge. 


Trestle  work      -  -  ,         $800  00 

500  feet  of  bridging,  at  $8  50 

per  foot  -  -  -        4,250  00 


No.  2. —  Wooden  bridge. 

Trestle  work      -  *  -         $620  00 

600  feet  of  bridging,  at  $8  50  per 

foot     *  .:■  ".  -        5,100  00. 


Shelby ville  bridge* 


2,284  perches  of  stone  work  for 
the  trestles,  beds  hammer  dres- 
sed, at  $6  per  perch     - 

720  piles,  driven  for  the  founda- 
tion of  the  stone  work,  includ- 
ing $100)  the  cost  of  the  piling 
machine 

Timber  ibr  six  trestle  frames} 
$354  48  each 

Framing  and  raising  the  6  trestles^ 
and  fitting  a  bolster  to  each  ; 
each  bolster  containing  12,000 

;  feet,  board  measure,  $1,200  a- 
piece  • 


$13,704  00 


1,576  00 
2J26  88 


7,200  00 


$2,750  00 

49,907  06 

10,792  56 

6,301  68 

2,520  00 
2,800  00 


5,050  00 


5,720  00 


63 


[259] 


ESTIMATE— Continued. 


1,000  feet  of  bridging,  Long's  plan, 
treble  brace  work  spans  of  200 
feet  each,  at  $20  per  foot         -   $20,000  00 


Amount  of  bridge     - 

Amount  for  grading 
Which  is  equal  to  $3,811  56  per  mile. 
34  miles  and   1,185  feet  of  superstucturej  at 

$5,240  40  per  mile     - 
Depot  similar  to  the  one  at  Paris 

Amount       *•-.._.,.-> 
Which  is  equal  to  $9,300  32  per  mile. 


RECAPITULATION, 

Cost  of  the  road  from  the  State  line  to  Paris 
Cost  of  the  road  from  Paris  to  Charleston     - 
Cost  of  the  road  from  Charleston  to  Shelbyville, 
Engineering  and  contingencies  connected  therewith 


-  $106,304  17 

-  262,810  21 

-  318,297  89 

10,000  00 


Total  estimate  of  the  Central  Branch  railroad  from  the  State 
line  to  Shelbyville,  being  71  miles  3,265  feet  in  length       *  $697,412  27 

Which  is  equal  to  $9,737  89  per  mile. 


NORTHERN    CROSS    RAILROAD. 


Length  from  the  eastern  line  of  the  State  to  Decatur  ^  Macon  county  ^ 

Illinois^  83  miles t 


Inclination  of  the  planes 

per 

mile,  in  feet. 

Length  of  the  inclinations. 

Miles, 

Feet. 

Level 

m 

*               -» 

10 

2,725 

From    0  to  10 

- 

« 

43 

285 

10  to  20 

. 

«               *. 

11 

2,045 

20  to  30 

- 

* 

4 

4,240 

30  to  40 

• 

•                                  a. 

10 

660 

at              40 

« 

M 

3 

605 

[259] 


64 


ESTIMATE— Continued. 


EST1MA  TE  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  from  the  eastern  line  of  the 
State  to  Decatur,  Macon  county ,  Illinois. 


10,055  rods  of  grubbing  and  clearing,  at  62J 
cents  per  rod  - 

1,183,433  yards  of  borrowed  earth  for  embank- 
ment, at  14  cents  per  yard  - 

500,800  yards  of  excavation  to  be  put  into 
embankment,  at  22  cents  per  yard  - 

59,900  yards  of  excavation  to  be  wasted,  at  14 
cents  per  yard  - 

100  wooden  culverts,  at  $70  each 

9^4  perches  of  stone  work,  for  culverts,  at  $5 
perch  » 


Vermillion  river  bridge. 


1,916  perches  of  stone  work  foun- 
dation of    trestles,   at  $6  per 

perch  -      '     ,-         '    -    $11,496  00 

2  trestles  and  bolster  frames,  each 

$1,554  48       -  •  -        3,108  96 

220  running    feet    of    bridging, 

Long's  plan,  treble  stringers,  at 

$20  per  foot    -  -  -        4,400  00 

150  feet  of  trestle  and  frame  work, 

to  connect  the  embankment  with 

the  bridge,  at  $5  per  foot  -  750  00 


Sangamon  river  bridge. 


1,308  perches  of  stone  work  for 

the  foundation  of  trestle  work, 

at  $6  per  perch  -  -       7,848  00 

Foundation        -  -  -  300  00 

2  trestles,  with  bolster  frames, 

$1,036  00  each  -  -        2,072  00 

250  feet  of  bridging,  at  $18  per 

foot     -  4,500  00 


$6,284  37 
165,680  62 
110,176  00 

8,386  00 

7,000  00 

4,620  00 


$19,754  96 


Amount  for  grading 


14,720  00 


336,621 


65 


[  259  ] 


ESTIMATE— Continued. 


Superstructure. 

Timber. — Stringers,  at  $25  per 

M,  mud  sills  and  splice  pieces, 

at  $20  per  M;  keys  at  2  cents 

each,    sleepers     at     20  cents 

each ;  making  the  cost  of  one 

mile  of  timber 

$1,671  85 

Iron. — Rails,  per  mile, 

22   tons,  at    $100 

per  ton       -            *  $2,200  60 

877  plates,  8  oz.  each. 

438^  lbs.  at  12  cents 

per  pound  -            -         52  62 

7,038  spikes,  4|  inches 

long,  221  oz.  each, 

971  lbs.  at  14  cents 

per  lb.        -            -       135  94 

Loss  on    iron,  \   per 

cent,  being  for  spikes 

at  the  joints  of  the 

' 

rails,  &c.    -                      li  94 

2,400  50 

Per  mile 

Raillaying.-~320Yods,nt$2  50 

per  rod 

800  00 

$1872  35 

Amount  per  mile 

- 

Amount  42  miles 

- 

$20,463  00 

Forty -one  miles  of  superstructure- 

Stringers,  at  $30  per  M.  mud  sills 

and  splice 

pieces,    at "  $25  per  M  ;  sleepers 

25  cents 

each,  keys  2  cents  each,  iron  and 

rail  laying 

the  same  as  above,  $5,240  40  per 

mile 

214,856  40 

Passenger,  merchandise,  and  egine  depot,  at 

Danville  and  Decatur,  including 

turn  outs 

and  turning  tables.     The  engine : 

10  use  to  be 

built  of  brick,  for  four  engines,  and  the  ma- 

chine shops  also  of  brick,  at  $8,500  00  each 

17,000  00 

Engineering     and    contingencies 

connected 

therewith    - 

■    - 

10,000  00 

Total  estimate  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad 

from  the  State  line  to  Decatur,  being  83  miles 

in  length     - 

- 

$783,117  05 

Which  is  equal  to  $9,435  15  per  mile. 

[  259  J  66 

To  the  honorable  the  Board  of  Commissioners  of  Public  Works  f 

Gentlemen  :  In  obedience  to  the  instructions]  have  received  from  you> 
growing  out  of  rny  engagement  of  the  24th  of  June  last,  to  take  charge  of 
the  improvements  contemplated  in  the  Wabash  river,  I  proceed  to  lay  before 
you  a  report  of  the  measures  taken  to  advance  that  object. 

Immediately  alter  the  24th  of  June  last.  I  repaired  to  this  place,  as  the 
point  presenting  the  most  formidable  obstacles  to  be  overcome,  to  which  I 
had  been  particularly  directed  as  the  field  for  operations,  and  commenced  a 
general  though  cursory  examination  of  the  country,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Grand  rapids,  and  the  river  from  Vincennes  to  the  Ohio. 

The  operations  now  pressing  forward,  in  so  many  rivers  in  Kentucky 
and  Pennsylvania,  in  preparing  them  for  an  uninterrupted  navigation  for 
steamboats,  appears  to  point  to  that  mode  as  the  ultimate  means  which  will 
at  no  long  period  be  resorted  to,  for  all  the  large  tributaries  of  the  Ohio ; 
with  this  distinctly  in  view  it  was  deemed  necessary,  as  a  preliminary  step* 
before  a  plan  could  be  adopted  with  judgment  to  form  opinions  approaching 
at  least  to  correctness  of  the  practability  for  improvements  below,  and  the 
kind  which  would  ultimately  be  used,  so  that  the  plans  devised  for  the 
Grand  rapids  might  be  in  keeping  and  harmony  with  those  which,  at  some 
future  period,  may  be  constructed  between  this  place  and  the  Ohio. 

With  slight  exceptions,  from  Delphi  to  within  ten  miles  of  the  junction 
with  White  river,  the  Wabash  has  a  mild  current  of  good  width,  and  toler- 
ably well  defined  banks,  which  confine  the  waters  to  their  natural  bed,  ex- 
cept in  time  of  floods.  Below  White  river,  evident  changes  are  perceptible^ 
the  stream  becomes  expanded  to  something  like  double  of  its  former  width, 
its  course  more  serpentine,  it  crosses  its  lowest  valley  from  side  to  side, 
which  is  from  three  to  eight  miles  wide,  and  in  traversing  the  valley, 
changes  its  course  frequently  ;  forms  cutoffs  in  the  bends  of  the  rivers,  and 
rolls  with  its  current  vast  volumes  of  sand.  Between  White  river  and  the 
Ohio,  the  sand  rock  of  the  country  is  found  in  the  river  bed  at  three  places  : 
Coffee  island,  and  the  Little  and  Grand  chains,  and  forms  the  ripples, 
which  have  been  improved  by  Messrs.  Gardiner  and  Mundy.  At  these 
places  where  the  rock  occurs,  the  river  is  susceptible  of  almost  any  kind  of 
improvement  which  the  extensive  and  increasing  trade  of  the  country 
may  require.  The  great  value  of  the  trade  of  the  valley  of  the  Wabash 
would  in  a  short  time  induce  a  slack  water  navigation  of  the  river  for  the 
uninterrupted  business  of  steamboats,  if  it  were  practicable  to  make  such 
an  improvement.  But  however  desirable  such  an  object  may  be,  it  is  pro- 
blematical, at  least,  from  the  character  of  the  country,  overflown  in  time 
of  floods,  from  three  to  eight  miles  in  width,  with  the  bed  of  the  stream  con- 
stantly changing,  and  its  current  rolling  volumes  of  sand  sufficient  in  a  few 
years  to  fill  up  its  entire  bed,  for  a  long  distance,  whether  such  a  river  can 
be  generally  converted  into  pools  for  slack  water  navigation.  In  such  an 
event,  it  is  doubtful  the  process  of  filling  up  the  pools  would  go  on  rapidly  for 
a  few  years,  and  then,  to  find  way,  the  river  would  seek  a  new  channel,  and 
leave  such  works  as  had  been  constructed  on  dry  ground. 

Although  the  probabilities  are  adverse  for  the  general  improvement  of 
the  Wabash,  by  means  of  slack  water  navigation  in  its  whole  length,  it  is 
entirely  possible,  at  some  period  of  time,  that  at  the  shoals  where  the  rock 
occurs,  works  of  the  kind  may  be  erected  ;  and  this  consideration,  although 
remotely,  had  some  weight  in  determining  the  plan  for  the  works  at  the 
Grand  rapids. 


67  [  259  ] 

TTbe  Wabash  below  White  river,  for  the  small  class  of  Ohio  steamboat?, 
^s  navigable  the  greatest  length  of  time  in  each  year,  and  for  a  much  longer 
period  than  it  is  above,  owing  more  to  the  shoals  from  the  Grand  rapids  to 
Little  Rock,  than  want  of  water  from  thence  to  Lafayette.  Many  inquiries 
relative  to  the  length  of  time  during  which  the  ordinary  steam  naviga- 
tion is  used  yearly  on  the  river,  have  been  made,  above  and  below  the  con- 
tinence of  White  river,  but  from  the  conflicting  statements  it  is  difficult  to 
form  a  correct  opinion.  The  time  varies  doubtless  in  different  years.  Du- 
ring the  present,  there  can  have  been  but  little  or  no  time  when  the  water  has 
been  too  low  for  small  steamboats  to  ascend  the  river  to  the  rapids.  A 
steamboat  of  ordinary  light  draught  came  there  the  last  of  October,  when 
the  water  was  depressed  as  low,  probably,  as  it  has  been  at  any  time  this 
season  ;  if  it  could  have  ascended  the  rapids  it  might  have  made  way  for  a 
long  distance  up  the  river.  From  the  best  sources  of  intelligence  that 
could  be  obtained,  it  is  believed  that  when  the  improvements  at  Grand 
rapids  shall  be  completed,  that  it  will  add  three  months  at  least  in  each 
year  to  the  time  in  which  steamboats  can  now  ascend  the  Wabash  above 
the  confluence  of  White  river. 

The  obstructions  proposed  to  be  remedied  by  the  present  improvements 
are  the  series  of  shoals  and  rapids,  commencing  one  mile  above  the  junc- 
tion of  White  river : 

1st.  The  Grand  rapids,  descent  four  feet  in  a  half  mile. 

2d.  The  Hanging  Rock  rapids,  two  and  one-fourth  miles  from  the  foot 
of  the  Grand  rapids,  descent  one  foot  seven  inches  in  half  a  mile. 

3d.  Crum's  ripple  and  the  ripples  at  Ramsay's  and  Beedle's  mills  are 
next  in  succession,  four  and  one-fourth  miles  from  Hanging  Rock,  descent 
three  feet  two  inches  from  the  surface  of  the  water  above  the  dam  to  Hang- 
ing Rock,  the  greatest  part  of  which  is  within  three  and  one-fourth  of  a 
mile  from  the  dam. 

4th.  Little  Rock  rapids,  from  the  head  of  which  in  half  a  mile  is  a  de- 
scent of  one  foot  and  three  inches  ;  making  in  all  a  descent  often  feet.  The 
water  on  the  Little  Rock  shoals  varies  in  depth  in  low  water  from  four  to 
one  and  a  half  feet. 

In  running  the  line  of  levels,  the  point  of  high  watermark  was  assumed 
as  the  base  line  at  the  foot  of  the  Grand  rapids  21.57  feet  above  the  sur- 
face of  the  water  when  the  levels  were  taken.  The  highest  point  of  rocks, 
on  the  shoals  at  Little  Kock  was  12.97  feet  below  this  base  line,  and  in 
contemplating  the  proposed  work,  to  give  three  and  a  half  feet  depth  of 
water  over  the  rocks,  the  surface  of  the  river  must  be  raised  to  a  point  9.47 
feet  below  said  base  line,  or  in  even  number  to  nine  feet  six  inches,  which 
will  be  the  point  to  which  the  weir  or  comb  of  the  dam  will  be  raised  to 
when  it  shall  be  built. 

To  determine  the  best  plan  of  overcoming  this  descent  in  the  river,  sev- 
eral plans-,  other  than  that  of  one  dam  and  one  lock,  the  plan  adopted,  sug- 
gested themselves.  The  first,  if  found  practicable,  was  to  introduce  a 
feeder  from  White  river  on  ground  sufficiently  elevated  to  lock  by  means  of 
a  canal  into  the  Wabash,  above  and  below  the  rapids,  and  leave  the  bed  of 
the  river  in  its  natural  state  free  for  the  great  amount  of  trade  passing  it 
in  flat  and  steamboats.  Another  plan,  to  make  a  canal  from  the  upper  part 
of  the  rapids,  deep  enough  to  be  fed  without  throwing  a  dam  across  the 
Wabash,  and  in  that  manner  leave  the  river  free.  A  third  one,  to  erect  a 
«&am  at  Hanging  Rock  to  supply  a  canal  to  the  foot  of  the  rapids. 

A  slight  examination  sufficed  to  show  the  impracticability  of  the  first, 


[  259  ]  68 

and  the  inexpediency  of  the  last  two.  The  cost  of  construction  was  enoogft 
to  decide  the  question  ;  but  if  they  could  have  been  made  for  a  much  less 
sum,  it  is  doubtful  whether  they  should  have  been  adopted.  The  steamboat 
trade  of  the  Wabash  is  immensely  valuable,  and  this  cannot  be  well  accom- 
modated in  a  canal ;  the  agitation  of  the  waters  produced  by  the  motion 
of  the  steam  vessels  induces  the  necessity  of  paving  the  banks  with  stone, 
which  injures  the  boats  in  their  passage  through  them.  Canals  are  obvi- 
ously too  narrow  for  the  free  operation  of  steamboats,  whose  motions  in 
them  are  so  constrained,  and  their  progress  so  much  impeded,  that  the 
utility  of  navigating  canals  by  the  agency  of  steam  is  a  doubtful  and  un- 
settled question.  The  first  of  these  canals  would  have  been  over  seven 
miles  in  length,  the  latter  over  two. 

These  considerations  were  deemed  sufficient  to  determine  that  the  pro- 
posed works  at  the  Grand  rapids  should  be  by  means  of  locks  and  dams 
across  the  Wabash,  of  the  necessary  height  to  give  sufficient  depth  of  water 
for  boats  to  pass  at  all  times,  the  shoals  and  rapids  in  the  first  eleven  miles 
above  the  mouth  of  White  river,  and  whether  one  lock  and  one  dam 
should  be  used  for  that  purpose,  or  two,  was  the  only  question  which 
remained  undecided. 

The  height  the  waters  require  to  be  raised  at  the  lower  termination  of 
the  rapids  near  White  river,  to  give  three  and  a  half  feet  over  the  highest 
point  of  the  river  bed  at  Little  rock  in  the  lowest  stage  of  water,  is  twelve 
feet.  This  height,  on  a  good  foundation,  such  as  will  be  used,  is  not  too 
great  to  render  a  dam  unsafe,  and  as  a  single  dam  and  lock  are  more  eco- 
nomical and  more  convenient  than  to  surmount  the  same  rise  of  waters 
by  means  of  two,  the  use  of  one  only  should  be  preferred,  provided  the 
country  is  sufficiently  elevated  to  sustain  that  height  of  water  against  the 
banks  of  the  river. 

In  the  event  of  building  two  dams,  the  site  of  the  upper  one  would  be 
at  Hanging  Rock,  the  lower  one  near  the  foot  of  the  Grand  rapids.  The 
two  sites  are  about  two  miles  apart,  and  the  water  from  the  upper  site  to 
the  extremity  of  the  pool  in  the  river  above,  would  be  at  the  same  eleva- 
tion, whether  one  or  two  dams  should  be  erected.  The  only  difference  to 
the  adjacent  country,  in  relation  to  the  height  of  the  water,  is  for  the  dis- 
tance between  the*  two  dams,  which,  does  not  exceed  two  miles,  and  this 
difference  in  the  height  of  the  water  would  not  be  greater  than  three  and 
one-half  feet ;  for  in  order  to  give  the  necessary  depth  over  the  rocks  for 
steamboats  to  enter  the  lock  at  the  Hanging  Rock  dam,  a  considerable 
portion  of  it  would  have  to  be  submerged  by  the  lower  one.  A  dam  at  the 
foot  of  the  rapids  to  overcome  the  obstructions  in  the  river  to  Hanging 
Rock,  and  secure  a  sufficient  depth  of  water  to  carry  boats  safely  into  the 
second  lock,  would  be  seven  and  one  half  feet  in  height  above  the  surface 
of  the  river ;  and  to  overcome  all  the  obstacles  proposed  to  jae  remedied^ 
less  than  ten  and  a  half  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  water  wheie  the  dam 
will  be  built. 

The  greatest  part  of  the  descent  of  the  Grand  rapids  is  within  half  a 
mile  of  the  dam,  so  that  the  height  to  which  the  waters  are  raised  above 
their  natural  bed  is  diminished  four  feet  in  that  distance.  The  banks  are 
high  enough  to  confine  the  waters  within  them,  except  at  the  highest  floods, 
during  which  the  country  is  overflowed  for  miles  in  extent,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  few  insulated  points  of  sandrock  ridges,  which  appear  like  islands 
in  the  surrounding  waters. 
The  difference,  therefore,  in  the  height  to  which  the  surface  of  the  river 


69  [  259  J 

will  be  raised  by  the  use  of  one  or  two  dams  is  inconsiderable,  not  exceed- 
ing three  and  a  half  feet  for  two  miles  in  distance,  but  to  obviate  all  objec- 
tions on  that  account,  in  the  estimates  the  cost  of  making  guard  banks  from 
the  lower  to  the  upper  dam  sites  on  each  side  of  the  river  has  been  calcu- 
lated and  provided  for.  The  difference  in  the  height  of  the  lock  gates  and 
walls  on  the  plan  of  two  dams  would  have  been  three  feet  less  than  in  one, 
provided  the  walls  had  been  left  at  ten  feet  above  the  weirs  or  combs  of  the 
dams,  and  sometimes  submerged  in  the  waters  of  high  floods,  which,  al- 
though avoided  in  the  plan  adopted,  would  not  have  rendered  the  works 
unsafe  with  the  banks  raised  to  the  proper  height,  and  well  protected,  and 
when  the  water  was  at  that  height,  the  dams  would  have  made  no  obstruc- 
tion to  the  passage  of  boats. 

It  is  believed  that  all  the  advantages  which  can  be  claimed  for  two  dams 
over  one,  are  summed  up  in  these  items:  of  the  height  of  the  water,  and 
the  height  of  the  lock  gates  and  walls  ;  both  are  inconsiderable. 

But  the  plan  of  one  lock  and  one  dam  is  preferable  on  account  of  produ- 
cing less  delay  and  injury  to  steamboats  to  pass  one  lock  than  to  pass  two, 
of  less  delay  of  landing  flat-boats,  and  the  hazard  of  being  drawn  over  the 
dam  in  the  descending  trade  of  the  river,  of  an  increased  amount  of  water 
power,  and  greater  economy  in  the  cost  of  construction.  It  is  usual  to  al- 
low three  feet  for  head  and  fall  in  building  mills;  on  the  plan  of  two  dams, 
the  difference  in  the  surfaces  of  the  water  at  Hanging  Rock,  above  and  be- 
low the  dam,  would  have  been,  only  three  feet,  and  therefore  valueless  for 
practical  purposes;  the  available  water  power  at  the  lower  dam  site  six 
feet;  on  the  same  plan,  but  with  one  dam  and  one  lock,  the  available  water 
power  will  be  nine  feet  fail.  Therefore,  if  two  dams  and  two  locks  could 
have  been  constructed  for  the  same  cost,  the  single  plan  ought  to  have  been 
preferred.  The  cost  of  two,  however,  would  have  generally  exceeded  the 
•cost   of  erecting  one.     For  comparison  : 

Plan  of  two  dams  and  two  locks. 

Cost  of  dam  and  lock  at  foot  of  Grand  rapids  -  $138,825  93 

Cost  of  dam  and  lock  at  Hanging  Rock      -  -  132,782  00 

Total    -  -  -  -  -  $271,608  50 

Plan  of  one  dam  and  one  lock. 
Cost  of  dam  and  lock  near  foot  of  Grand  rapids         -  $166,928  55 

Difference         -  $104,679  98 


The  plan  of  dam  and  lock  was  adopted,  not  only  on  account  of  the  great 
difference  of  cost  in  its  favor,  but  also  of  its  greater  utility.  The  height  of  the 
dam  will  be  sufficient  to  give  three  and  a  half  feet  water  over  the  highest 
points  in  the  rock  bed  of  the  river  at  Little  Rock  shoals,  without  taking  into 
consideration  the  influence  the  dam  will  have  in  backing  the  waters  that  dis- 
tance, or  for  the  height  the  water  will  stand  on  the  comb  of  the  dam,  both 
of  which  \vill  probably  be  equal  to  6  inches,  and  give  a  depth  of  water  of 
four  feet  over  the  highest  rocks. 

The  lock  will  be  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  long,  and  thirty  eight 
feet  wide  in  the  chamber,  and  of  the  same  dimensions  as  those  used  in  the 
Kentucky  rivers,  which  are  now  being  improved ;  the  lock  is  of  sufficient  ca- 


[  259  ]  70 

pacity,  with  a  rise  of  two  and  a  half  feet  in  the  river,  to  pass  boats  of  two 
hundred  tons  burden,  the  size  which  includes  the  most  numerous  class. 
which  navigate  the  Ohio,  and,  at  all  times,  to  pass  boats  drawing  three  and  a 
half  feet  water  ;  the  gates  will  be  opened  with  capstans  ;  the  lock  walls  will 
be  two  hundred  and  thirty-six  feet  in  length,  with  piers  of  crib-work  filled 
with  stones,  and  faced  with  plank,  extending  one  hundred  and  eighty  feet 
in  length  above -and  below  the  lock,  for  protection  walls. 

The  dam  will  be  one  thousand  feet  in  length,  built  with  cribs  of  timber 
filled  with  stone,  and  covered  with  six  inch  plank.  The  site  is  on  the  sand 
rock  bed  of  the  river,  and  affords  a  good  foundation  for  the  dam ;  the  rock 
is  more  firm  and  compact  than  that  which  is  found  above  water  in  the  vi- 
cinity. Care  has  been  taken  in  the  selection  of  the  site,  to  place  the  dam  suf- 
ficiently up  the  falls  for  the 'agitation  of  water  produced  in  passing  the 
dam  to  subside  on  the  rock  bed  of  the  river,  to  prevent  deep  washings  below? 
the  formation  of  new  sand  bars  to  impede  the  navigation,  and  to  prevent 
the  structure  from  being  weakened  and  undermined,  The  dam  is  thus 
placed  some  distance  up  the  falls,  and,  as  a  necessary  consequence,  the  rock, 
to  some  extent,  has  to  be  excavated  below  the  lock.  This  selection  of  the 
site  lessens  the  height,  the  dam  has  to  be  built  about  one  and  a  half  foot7 
and  adds  greatly  to  its  permanency.  This  rise  on  the  rock  takes  place 
above  the  point  where  the  water  will  be  discharged  for  hydraulic  purposes, 
so  that  the  fall  secured  by  the  erection  of  the  dam  is  fully  equal  to  twelve 
leet,  nine  feet  of  which,  according  to  the  usual  allowance  of  mill  wrights 
for  head  and  fall  races,  will  be  available  for  machinery  ;  with  a  supply  of 
water  greater  than  can  be  used  for  many  years  to  come,  sufficient  at  least  to 
propel  three  hundred  run  of  four  and  a  half  feet  mill  stones  at  seasons  of 
the  lowest  stages  of  water,  and  will  not  be  impeded  by  floods  more  than 
six  weeks  in  a  year. 

The  dam  will  have  some  slight  influence  in  backing  the  waters  of  the 
river  in  medium  floods,  but  this  influence  will  be  small;  in  higher  staged 
floods,  in  which  the  water  rises  on  the  weir  or  comb  of  a  dam  to  something 
like  one-fifth  part  of  its  natural  height,  this  influence  of  backing  the  waters 
is  altogether  lost,  so  that  a  dam  has  no  effect  in  increasing  the  rise  of 
freshets  after  they  swell  to  a  certain  height;  in  such  cases,  an  increase  of 
velocity,  at  the  place  the  dam  is  situated,  is  all  the  difference  which  can 
be  perceived.  The  effect  on  smaller  rises  of  a  river  must  be  very  slight ; 
for  the  waters  in  the  pool  of  a  dam  of  miles  in  extent,  in  small  floods, 
move  with  a  current  that  is  scarcely  perceptible,  and  the  difference,  con- 
sequently, of  the  elevation  between  the  terminations  of  the  pool  must  be 
small  indeed. 

The  banks  of  the  river  are  generally  nineteen  or  twenty  ieet  above  its 
bed,  and  at  the  height  of  ordinary  floods ;  but,  with  the  exception  of  three 
places  in  the  distance  of  eleven  miles  above  the  mouth  of  White  river,  in 
the  highest  rises  of  water  the  whole  valley  bordering  the  Wabash  is  over- 
flowed for  miles  in  extent.  The  valley  is  very  level  and  uniform  in  its 
surface,  of  a  tough  clayey  soil,  which  affords  a  tolerable  guaranty  against 
cutoffs,  and  the  river  from  forming  new  channels. 

From  the  lock  and  abutment  on  each  side  of  the  river  guard  banks 
can  be  cheaply  constructed  to  high  ground  which  never  overflows  ;  a  fortu- 
nate circumstance  in  the  location,  which  could  not  be  found  at  any  other 
place  within  many  miles.  Almost  immediately  above  the  site  of  the  lock 
on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river,  a  point  of  land,  twenty  feet  above  the 


71  [259] 

highest  floods,  projects  into  the  stream,  and  forms  a  harbor  where  boats 
may  land  safely,  without  danger  of  being  drawn  over  the  dam. 

This  projection  of  high  ground  is  not  so  abrupt  as  to  make  it  difficult  to 
pass,  but,  at  the  same  time,  it  influences  the  current  from  the  point  to 
the  bend  of  the  river  on  the  opposite  side,  and  shields  thereby  the  lock 
from  drift  and  ice. 

The  bed  of  the  Wabash  for  some  distance,  several  miles  above  the  Little 
Rock  rapids,  is  deep  and  well  adopted  to  become  the  reservoir  of  the  sand, 
which  must,  in  the  nature  of  things,  be  deposited  at  the  head  of  the  pool. 
Few  places  on  the  Wabash  could  be  found  so  well  adapted  for  the  location 
of  similar  works,  in  which  safety,  convenience,  and  permanence  are  so  well 
secured.  The  lock  walls  are  designed  to  be  built  of  durable  materials,  and 
in  the  best  manner,  as  well  as  the  abutments  and  dam.  The  great  amount 
of  trade  on  the  Wabash  obviously  points  to  the  necessity  of  doing  in  the  best 
manner  whatever  is  done,  so  that  the  work,  when  put  up,  will  need  little  or 
no  repairs,  or  be  of  doubtful  utility  when  completed.  The  plan  is  very 
similar  to  those  used  in  Kentucky  on  their  public  works.  Care  will  be  taken 
to  have  the  walls  and  gates  of  such  dimensions  that  they  will  be  able  to 
resist  the  pressure  against  them,  and  in  the  height  of  the  gates  that  they 
shall  not  exceed  the  limits  in  ordinary  use  for  large  locks,  so  that  nothing 
shall  be  left  to  conjecture  or  the  hazard  of  an  experiment. 

The  difficulty  of  procuring  stone  of  good  quality,  the  quantity  of  materials 
to  be  collected  at  one  point,  the  uncertainty  of  a  proper  stage  of  water  for  their 
transportation,  and  the  necessity  of  having  all  the  materials  ready  and 
prepared  on  the  ground  before  a  commencement  of  any  part  of  the  struc- 
tures in  the  water  can  be  made,  induced  the  recommendation  of  letting  out 
the  delivery  of  the  stone  for  the  lock  and  abutment.  This  letting  for  the 
materials  took  place  on  the  22d  instant,  and  contracts  were  taken  by  two 
responsible  companies  for  the  delivery  of  seven  hundred  cubic  yards  of  stone 
by  the  1st  of  June  next,  at  fair  prices  for  the  States.  The  contractors  have 
already  entered  with  spirit  upon  the  business  of  their  contract,  and  with  an 
activity  which  promises  well  for  their  performance.  The  prices  at  which 
these  contracts  have  been  taken  would  seem  to  insure  the  completion  of  the 
whole  work  within  the  estimates  made  for  its  cost. 

Thus  far,  building  stone  of  good  quality  has  not  been  found  nearer  than 
Porters ville,  seventy-seven  miles  by  water  above  the  confluence  of  White 
river.  There  the  quarries  are  fine  for  the  massive  work  for  which  the 
materials  are  required  ;  none  of  suitable  quality  have  been  found  nearer  to 
the  site  of  the  works,  although  diligent  and  laborious  search  has  been  made 
for  that  purpose. 

The  cost  of  the  dam  and  lock  is  estimated  at  one  hundred  and  sixty -six 
thousand  nine  hundred  and  twenty-eight  dollars  fifty-five  cents.  The 
whole  is  carefully  estimated,  and  put  at  such  prices,  it  is  confidently 
believed,  as  will  insure  the  completion  of  the  work  in  the  most  substantial 
manner,  without  exceeding  the  estimates  by  a  single  dollar. 

It  is  expected  that,  according  to  contract,  the  stone  will  be  delivered  by 
the  first  of  June  next,  and  that  the  main  contracts  for  building  the  lock 
and  the  dam,  and  abutment,  may  be  let  by  the  15th  of  that  month,  so  that 
the  work  may  be  completed  by  the  first  of  November,  1839. 

Ample  provisions  have  been  made  in  the  estimates  for  the  use  of  the 
water  power  in  the  construction  of  culverts  and  canals  for  the  conveyance 
and  discharge  of  the  water. 


[  259  ]  72 

So  great  a  power  for  hydraulic  purposes  created  in  the  heart  of  an  exten- 
sive wheat  growing  country,  and  adjacent  to  the  beds  of  iron  ore  abounding 
in  the  valley  of  White  river,  cannot  fail  to  insure  to  the  States  large  profits, 
Its  situation  in  a  district  of  country  where  water  privileges  are  extremely 
limited  will  enhance  its  value,  and  being  so  great,  and  within  twelve  hours' 
voyage  of  the  Ohio,  will  give  it  such  claims  to  the  attention  of  the  public 
as  cannot,  in  the  nature  of  things,  fail  to  point  it  out  as  extremely  well 
situated  for  any  kind  of  manufacture  in  which  water  power  is  essential, 
and  induce  it  to  be  extensively  improved. 

In  regard  to  the  profits  to  be  derived  from  the  construction  of  the  work, 
it  will  be  sufficient  to  remark  that,  when  completed,  it  will  probably  stand 
on  more  favorable  ground,  in  relation  to  the  revenues  to  be  derived  from  it, 
than  any  other  in  either  of  the  States,  So  soon  as  it  shall  be  completed,  a 
very  moderate  rate  of  tolls  collected  on  the  great  trade  of  the  Wabash  will 
render  it  profitable  in  the  matter  of  revenue.  But  a  very  short  time  can 
elapse  before  the  rents  from  the  water  power  alone  will  pay  the  interest  on 
the  cost  of  construction,  and  keep  up  the  necessary  repairs  and  attendants. 
Leases  for  water  power  in  Indiana  rent  for  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
per  annum,  for  privilege  for  propelling  one  run  of  four  and  one-haif  feet 
mill  stones,  and  are  readily  sought  for  at  these  prices. 

The  eligibility  of  this  water  power  for  the  manufacture  of  iron  and  nails, 
of  paper,  cotton,  lumber,  and  flour,  cannot  fail  of  making  it,  in  a  short  time, 
the  source  of  large  revenue  to  the  State.  The  benefits  of  these  works  to 
the  country  can  hardly  be  appreciated.  Great  confidence  is  felt,  that,  to  the 
present  navigable  portion  of  the  year  of  the  Wabash,  it  will  add  at  least 
three  months  to  that  time,  for  the  upper  part  of  it,  and  that  when  the  ob- 
stacles to  the  navigation  of  this  section  of  the  river  shall  be  removed,  there 
will  be  more  inducement  for  the  business  of  steamboats  in  the  summer  sea- 
son, and  that  but  ;i  very  short  time  in  each  year  will  be  found,  in  which 
light  draught-boats,  suited  to  the  commerce,  will  not  make  their  regular 
trips  from  the  upper  country  to  its  mouth.  Nor  will  the  benefits  cease  with 
the  extension  of  the  navigation  of  the  river ;  and  the  rents  and  tolls  which 
will  be  received,  the  introduction  of  property,  the  investment  of  capital  to 
a  great  amount  in  manufactures,  will  swell  the  revenue  of  the  States,  add 
greatly  to  the  aggregate  of  their  wealth,  and  to  the  prosperity  and  conveni- 
ence of  their  people. 

The  disbursements  made  in  locating  the  work,  examinations  for  stone, 
purchase  of  instruments,  tools,  &c.  is  one  thousand  four  hundred  and  sixty- 
four  dollars  sixty-eight  cents;  the  one-half  of  which,  or  the  sum  of  seven 
hundred  and  thirty-two  dollars  thirty-four  cents,  was  paid  out  of  the  money 
furnished  by  each  commissioner  of  the  respective  States,  as  per  account 
with  vouchers  rendered  with  the  plans  and  estimates  in  detail. 

Which  are  respectfully  submitted. 

D.  BURR, 
Principal  Engineer,    Wabash  river. 

Mount  Carmel,  Illinois,  Nov.  28,  1837. 


'The  honorable  the  Board  of  Public    Works,  State  of  Illinois: 

Gentlemen:  The  following  is  a  biief  statement  of  the  progress  of  the 
surveys  and  examinations  for  the  proposed  improvements  in  the  northern 


73  [  259  ] 

districts. of  this  State,  committed  to  my  charge  by  your  honorable  body, 
from  the  commencement  up  to  the  present  time. 

The  first  party  was  organized  on  the  8th  day  of  May,  1837,  and  placed 
upon  the  line  of  the  Central  railroad,  between  the  north  line  of  McLean 
county  and  Rock  river.  The  examination  was  commenced  near  the  ter- 
mination of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal,  at  Peru.  The  surveys  were 
continued  in  a  southerly  direction,  with  J.  W.  Ingersoli  at  the  head,  until 
the  arrival  of  P.  H.  Woodworth,  to  whom  the  charge  was  then  committed, 
about  the  1st  of  June,  and  Mr.  Ingersoli  placed  in  charge,  with  his  party, 
of  the  surveys  and  examinations  of  the  country  for  the  proposed  railroad 
between  Peoria  and  Warsaw. 

The  third  party  was  organized  about  the  3d  of  June,  at  Galena,  with 
William  B.  Gilbert  at  the  head,  and  placed  in  charge  of  the  necessary  sur- 
veys and  examinations  between  that  place  and  Rock  river,  to  connect  his 
lines  with  those  tc  be  examined  by  Mr.  Woodworth,  and  terminating  at  the 
same  point,  by  making  Rock  river  a  division  between  the  two  parties. 

The  fourth  party  was  organized  at  Dixon's  ferry,  Rock  river,  about  the 
20th  June,  and  Mr.  A.  Blanc  placed  in  charge  of  the  same,  to  make  the  ne- 
cessary surveys  and  examinations  of  the  said  river  for  steamboat  navigation, 
until  the  arrival  of  Mr.  P.  H.  Oglebie,  who  was  to  continue  the  surveys; 
Mr.  B.  then  to  take  the  charge  of  the  office,  and  make  the  necessary  maps, 
profiles,  &c.  of  said  river  and  the  Central  railroad,  between  Galena  and 
Rock  river,  as  fast  as  the  surveys  were  made,  he  (Mr.  B.)  being  one  of  our 
best  draughtsmen,  on  the  arrival  of  Mr.  O.  who  took  the  field.  Soon  after  it 
was  found  that  the  exposure  to  the  weather  was  such  that  his  health  at  the 
time  would  not  permit ;  it  became  necessary  that  he  should  return  to  the 
office,  and  Mr.  B.  to  continue  the  surveys  and  examinations  for  the  whole 
length  of  said  river,  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  distant ;  all  of  which 
has  been  finished,  with  much  care  and  credit  to  himself.  Mr.  C.  L.  Sey- 
mour has  lately  arrived,  for  the  purpose  of  examining  and  assisting  in  mak- 
ing the  estimates  as  fast  as  maps,  profiles,  &c.  of  said  river  are  finished. 
He  (Mr.  C.  L.  Seymour)  has  also  travelled  in  company  with  myself  the 
whole  length  of  the  river  from  the  north  line  of  the  State  to  its  confluence 
with  the  Mississippi,  and  examined  the  most  difficult  point,  and  consulted 
together  with  reference  to  the  best  place  of  improving  the  same;  and  I  have 
requested  him  to  remain  until  the  estimates  are  finished,  as  he  has  had 
practical  information  upon  similar  works  heretofore,  and  it  being  impossible 
for  me  to  attend  to  all  of  the  necessary  estimates  at  the  same  time,  as  the 
offices  are  now  situated,  one  at  Dixon's  ferry,  Rock  river,  one  at  Chicago, 
and  the  other  at  Canton,  Fulton  county. 

The  necessary  preliminaries,  surveys,  and  examinations,  are  now  com- 
pleted for  all  of  the  improvements  before  mentioned,  together  with  the  sur- 
veys of  the  proposed  railroad  from  Meredosia,  in  the  valley  of  the  Illinois 
river,  to  Quincy,  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi.  The  latter  has  been 
done  by  Mr.  Woodworth's  party.  Since  finishing  the  work  as  above  be- 
fore assigned  to  him,  J.  W.  Ingersoll's  party  was  disbanded  the  latter  part 
of  September;  Mr.  Woodworth's  and  Mr.  Gilbert's  in  October  ;  and  Mr. 
Blanc's  in  November,  as  you  will  see  from  the  pay  rolls,  by  retaining  from 
two  to  three  in  each  party  until  the  field  books,  maps,  profiles,  and  esti- 
mates are  sufficiently  arranged  to  dispense  with  their  services  for  this  sea- 
son; all  of  which  is  now  in  progress,  and  will  be  finished  as  soon  as  the 
necessary  work  can  be  well  done ;  after  which  a  detailed  report  or  docu- 


[  259  ]  74 

merit  will  be  presented  by  each  assistant  engineer  upon  the  different  works 
they  have  been  engaged,  together  with  my  report  upon  the  same.  The 
head  of  each  party,  together  with  the  draughtsman,  received  at  the  rate  of 
$1,500  per  annum ;  junior  assistants'  salary  at  the  same  time  the  duties  and 
labors  were  performed,  have  been  that  of  senior  assistants,  which  duties 
have  been 'faithfully  executed.  Each  party  has  consisted  of  from  eight  to 
ten  in  number,  while  in  the  field,  and  the  price  per  day  for  leveller  $3  00, 
surveyor  $2  50,  roadman  $2  00,  chainman,  axeman,  teamster,  cook,  &c. 
from  $1  00  to  $1  25  per  day.  The  number  of  miles  instrumentally  ex- 
amined by  the  different  parties  have  been  about  1,000  miles  to  obtain  500, 
or  thereabouts,  for  actual  location,  after  a  careful  estimate  of  the  different 
lines  examined.  The  preliminary  surveys  have  been  made  with  much 
care,  consequently  the  proposed  lines  may  be  located  and  put  under  con- 
tract early  next  season,  or  such  proportion  of  each  work  as  you  may  di- 
rect. At  this  time  I  cannot  present  you  with  a  detailed  report  of  the  dif- 
ferent lines  until  the  estimates,  maps,  profiles,  table  of  grades,  curves,  &c, 
are  finished,  as  before  alluded  to.  I  can  say,  however,  that  there  are 
no  important  obstacles  in  the  way  of  either  of  the  proposed  improvements, 
and  that  the  amount  appropriated  for  each  will  be  sufficient  for  their  con- 
struction, or  nearly  so — some  may  overrun  and  others  fall  short.  The 
country  through  which  the  railroads  are  to  pass,  is  favorable  for  their  con- 
struction, and  can  be  finished  for  much  less  per  mile  than  the  average  cost 
of  the  many  other  railroads  in  the  United  States.  The  improvement  of  the 
Rock  river,  for  steamboat  navigation,  will  be  attended  with  very  few  diffi- 
culties compared  with  the  advantages  to  be  derived  from  the  same  ;  the 
cost  of  which  will  not  exceed  $200,000,  but  will  probably  exceed  $100,000 
a  little.  It  will  be  necessary,  however,  to  exceed  40  feit  grade  per  mile 
in  certain  cases,  for  the  railroad,  which  will  not  be  very  objectionable,  con- 
sidering the  points  and  places  where  such  grades  will  be  necessary,  together 
with  the  distance,  which  will  be  short,  &c. ;  all  of  which  will  be  clearly 
explained,  in  the  report  alluded  to,  hereafter. 

For  a  more  detailed  account  of  the  several  proposed  improvements,  I 
beg  leave  to  refer  you  to  the  following  document  from  my  assistants  upon 
the  various  works  they  have  been  engaged. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted,  by  your  humble  servant, 

JAS.  SEYMOUR. 

Chicago,  November  26,  1837. 


Central  Railroad  Office, 
Dixon's  Ferry,  November  25,  1837. 

Sir  :  In  compliance  with  the  request  contained  in  your  letter  of  the  8th 
instant,  I  hereby  transmit  to  you  a  brief  report,  estimate,  and  table  of  grades 
of  a  portion  of  the  surveys  committed  to  my  charge. 

This  will  give  some  idea  of  the  nature  and  feasibility  of  the  route,  which 
may  be  of  essential  service  to  the  honorable  the  board  of  commissioners  of 
public  works  at  their  meeting  in  December.  I  do  not  pretend  that  all  the 
various  subjects  connected  with  a  w  minute  report"  are  here  embodied,  or 
that  all  the  requisite  information  can  be  furnished  at  so  early  a  date  since 
the  completion  of  the  duties  in  the  field.  Sufficient,  however,  will  be  given, 
I  hope,  to  satisfy  yourself  that  the  aggregate  cost  of  the  work  will  not  ex- 


75  [259] 

ceed  the  amount  contained  in  the  following  estimate,  and  that  we  have  been 
entirely  successful  in  finding  a  feasible  route. 

To  those  acquainted  with  that  section  of  the  country  between  Galena 
and  Rock  river,  a  more  favorable  result  could  not  have  been  anticipated 
than  that  developed  by  a  careful  examination  of  the  country,  which  proves 
so  highly  favorable  to  the  construction  of  a  railroad.  After  the  rough 
maps  and  profiles  were  made  of  the  several  lines  that  have  been  surveyed, 
much  exertion  has  been  used  to  complete  an  estimate  upon  one  line  from 
Galena  to  Rock  river.  I  regret,  for  reasons  already  mentioned,  that  I  am 
unable  to  present  the  maps  and  profiles  of  this  line.  A  detached  report  of 
the  result,  including  maps,  profiles,  and  estimates  of  the  different  lines  sur- 
veyed, will  be  furnished  as  soon  as  practicable.  It  is  probable  that  other 
lines  may  present  more  feasible  results. 

From  Galena  to  Savannah,  30  miles. 

In  your  letter  of  instructions,  Galena  was  designated  as  the  point  at 
which  the  survey  was  to  be  commenced.  The  line  commences  on  the 
northeast  side  of  Fever  river,  and  follows  its  general  course  to  its  junction 
with  the  Mississippi.  The  ground,  most  of  the  way,  a  distance  of  six 
miles,  is  much  broken  by  narrow  ravines  and  ridges.  At  Low's  point,  two 
miles  below  Galena,  the  river  makes  a  sharp  turn  to  the  southwest,  and  the 
hills  adjacent  are  high  and  steep  ;  in  several  places  large  ledges  of  rocks 
project.  To  pass  this  point,  it  is  necessary  to  make  a  curve  of  640  feet  ra- 
dius, to  avoid  expensive  rock  excavation.  From  Low's  point  the  line  con- 
tinues on  favorable  ground  about  five  and  a  half  miles,  excepting  one  point 
where  the  river  curves  short  to  the  northeast,  and  then  as  short  to  the  south- 
west. At  this  point  a  curve  of  520  feet  radius  is  made  to  avoid  a  deep 
side-hill  excavation. 

Below  the  mouth  of  Fever  river,  the  line  follows  the  valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi to  Savannah,  a  point  to  which,  by  your  letter  of  instructions,  the  sur- 
vey was  directed.  A  short  distance  below  the  mouth  of  Fever  river  the 
banks  of  the  Mississippi  are  high,  and,  in  some  places,  very  steep,  the  line 
occupying  the  sloping  bank  about  28  feet  above  the  river  until  it  reaches 
the  Sand  prairie,  two  miles  below.  In  tracing  the  line  through  Sand  prai- 
rie, we  pass  over  a  uniform  surface  12  miles. 

At  the  lower  end  of  this  prairie  the  line  crosses  Apple  river  three-fourths 
of  a  mile  below  Mr.  Watson's  house.  The  river  at  this  place  is  172  feet 
wide  ;  the  banks  on  each  side  are  good,  and  afford  a  safe  crossing,  without 
any  danger  from  the  high  freshets  to  which  the  river  is  subject.  The  line 
then  ascends  into  abroad  tableland,  about  50  feet  above  the  river,  and  con- 
tinues quite  uniform  until  broken  by  the  valley  of  Rush  creek,  five  miles 
below.  Crossing  Rush  creek  near  Mr.  Robinson's  dwelling,  the  line  passes 
over  favorable  ground  to  a  point  two  miles  above  Savannah  ;  thence  fol- 
lows a  steep  sidehill  to  Savannah.  The  sidehill  is  mostly  composed  of 
rock,  lying  in  thin  strata,  much  broken  by  vertical  and  horizontal  seams, 
which  renders  them  easy  to  remove. 

Q,uarries  have  been  opened  along  the  sidehill  at  different  places,  which 
show  very  plainly  the  nature  of  the  rock. 


[  259  ]  76 

From  Savannah  to  Rock  river )  36  miles ,  17  chains. 

Leaving  Savannah,  the  line  descends  gradually  to  Plum  river  bottom; 
crossing*  the  river  half  a  mile  above  the  ferry.  At  this  place  the  river  is 
234  feet  wide.  The  line  then  follows  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  to  the 
head  of  Cat  Tail  swamp,  a  distance  of  15  miles.  From  the  head  of  Cat 
Tail  swamp,  the  line  deflects  to  the  northeast,  from  a  tangent  12  miles, 
leaving  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi,  and  continues  to  Rock  river,  at  a  point 
about  17  miles  below  Dixon's  ferry. 

The  nature  of  the  ground  over  which  this  line  is  traced,  is  uncommonly 
favorable,  the  grading  very  light,  and  the  earth  easy  of  excavation. 

Elevation. 

The  highest  level  attained  on  the  line  between  Galena  and  Rock  river, 
is  only  82  feet.     The  surface  of  Fever  river  being  adopted  as  our  base 

line. 

Curves. 

There  will  be  no  curve  less  than  1,200  feet  radius,  excepting  the  two 
before  mentioned. 

Estimate. 

The  following  estimate  is  based  upon  work  of  durable  character.  On 
every  part  of  the  line  where  the  material  is  required,  valuable  stone  for 
building  bridges,  culverts,  &c,  can  be  obtained  at  very  little  expense.  In 
many  places  where  the  line  crosses  deep  ravines,  a  considerable  deduction 
can  be  made  from  the  estimate  cost,  by  substituting  bridges  of  wooden 
structure  in  place  of  earthen  embankments. 

I  arm  sir,  with  much  respect, 

Your  obedient  humble  servant, 

W.  B.  GILBERT, 

Civil  Engineer. 
James  Seymour,  Esq., 

Chief  Engineer  of  the  Central  railroad.  Northern  District. 


77 


[  259  j 


TABLE  of  grades  from  Galena  to  Rock  river. 


No.  of 

Length  of 

Lnclinatiou 

Ascending  or 

Elevation 

grades.. 

grades. 

per  mile. 

descending. 

above  Fever! 
river. 

Remarks. 

Ms.  ch^s. 

] 

0.30 

Level 

25.00 

2 

0.45 

25.00 

Ascending  - 

39.06 

H 

0.57 

13.00 

Descending 

29.80 

4 

0.21 

Level 

29.80 

At  Low's  point. 

5 

1.16 

4.33 

Ascending  - 

35.00 

6 

3.21 

2.15 

Descending- 

28.00 

7 

3.75 

_ 

Level 

28.00 

Head  of  Sand  prairie. 

8 

1.28 

22.96 

Ascending  - 

59.00 

9 

0.72 

26.67 

Descending 

35.00 

10 

1.10 

10.22 

Descending 

23.50 

11 

4.25 

8.00 

Ascending  - 

58.00 

L 

12 

1.10 

27.56 

Descending 

27.00 

13 

1.25 

10.67 

Ascending  - 

41.00 

14 

0.60 

21.33 

Descending 

25.00 

15 

0.06 

_ 

Level 

25.00 

Cross  Apple  river. 

16 

1.01 

28.64 

Ascending  - 

54.00 

17 

0.78 

7.47 

Ascending  - 

61.28 

18 

2.02 

12.48 

Descending 

36.00 

19 

0.48 

26.67 

Descending 

20.00 

Cross  Rush  creek. 

20 

2.20 

4.44 

Ascend  ing- 

30.00 

21 

1.70 

5.33 

Descending 

20.00 

Savanna h. 

22 

1.22 

10,59 

Descending 

6.50 

23 

1.58 

_ 

Level 

6.50 

Cross  Plum  river. 

24 

1.40 

17.44 

Ascending  - 

32.56 

• 

25 

6.60 

2.24 

Descending 

17.49 

26 

1.40 

5.00 

Ascending  - 

25.00 

27 

3.00 

7.00 

Descending 

4.00 

28 

1.10 

3.55 

Descending 

29 

1.46 

6.35 

Ascending  - 

10.00 

30 

1.34 

17.40 

Ascending  - 

34.79 

31 

1.70 

_ 

Level 

34.79 

32 

1.52 

25.58 

Ascending  - 

77.00 

33 

0.78 

4.10 

Descending 

73.00 

34 

0.84 

20.95 

Descending 

51.00 

35 

0.66 

4.52 

Descending 

47.27 

36 

0.72 

21.31 

Descending 

29  34 

37 

0.30 

11.73 

Descending 

24.94 

38 

&  l'$ 

fll68 

Ascending  - 

42.00 

39 

0.72 

7.02 

Descending 

35.62 

40 

2.08 

1.78 

Descending 

32.00 

41 

3.12 

- 

Level 

32.00 

Rock  rivet/ 

f 259  ]  78 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  of  informing  yon  that  the  examinations  and  sur- 
veys intrusted  to  my  charge,  as  your  assistant,  have  been  completed,  viz  : 
of  that  part  of  the  Central  railroad  between  the  northern  boundary  of 
McLean  county  and  Rock  river,  and  of  the  Quincy  and  Meredosia  division 
of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  Our  surveys,  agreeable  to  yoUr  instruc- 
tions, were  commenced  on  the  south  bank  of  the  Illinois  river,  and  as  the 
chief  difficulties  seemed  to  be  in  gaining  the  summit  of  the  bluff,  three  dif- 
ferent routes  or  lines  were  surveyed  from  the  river  intersecting  on  the 
prairie,  and  thence  but  one  line  to  McLean  county. 

The  first  of  these  lines  ran  up  the  Big  Vermillion  river.  It"  was  found 
to  be  rather  a  circuitous  route  •  generally  an  easy,  but  on  account  of  rockyf 
points,  deep  ravines,  &c.,  expensive  grade.  The  second  line  is  direct,  and 
surveyed  with  a  view  to  stationary  power :  a  good  line,  and  as  pretty  a 
grade  as  could  be  wished.  Our  third  line  is  up  the  Cedar  creek,  very  di- 
rect, gaining  the  summit  of  the  bluff  in  about  four  and  a  half  miles  ;  and, 
with  the  exception  of  two  other  deep  cuts  through  rocky  ridges  for  a 
short  distance,  may  be  considered  a  good  line.  The  grade  on  the  whole,  I 
think,  is  easy  and  not  expensive.  After  gaining  the  prairie^  there  is  nothing 
to  prevent  a  tangent,  with  light  grading,  at  least  as  far  as  to  McLean  coun- 
ty. After  completing  our  surveys  on  the  south  side  of  the  river,  we  com- 
menced  examinations  on  the  north.  Here  we  found  more  difficulty  in  gain- 
ing the  high  prairie;  four  routes  were  examined  and  carefully  surveyed. 
On  the  first  two,  we  gained  the  prairie  in  about  one  and  a  half  mile,  by 
running  up  ravines,  but  were  compelled  to  a  grade  of  at  least  100  feet  per 
mile,  on  a  line  with  curves.  I  think,  however,  that  by  excavating  and  em- 
banking moderately,  a  direct  or  straight  line  may  be  obtained  on  one  of  these 
routes.  Our  third  line  runs  up  the  Little  Vermillion  ;  a  crooked  line,  with 
one,  at  least,  very  abrupt  and  unavoidable  curve ;  gaining  the  prairie  in 
about  ten  miles,  and  at  a  point  at  least  four  miles  from  the  direct  line. 

On  Koek  river,  agreeably  to  your  directions,  we  surveyed  four  lines  from 
the  river.  Across  the  country  from  Rock  to  Illinois  river,  we  have  surveyed 
two  entire  lines,  one  of  which  has  but  one  curve,  and  the  other  we  tried  to 
suit  to  the  surface  of  the  country.  In  this  survey,  more  than  two  hundred 
miles  of  instrumental  observations  have  been  made  with  the  greatest  care, 
and  with  a  view  to  obtain  the  best  feasible  line  for  the  road.  On  the  whole, 
1  am  happy  to  say,  that  1  think  the  route  is  much  more  favorable  than  has 
been  anticipated. 

The  Q,uincy  and  Meredosia  survey  was  conducted  under  the  immediate 
direction  of  Mr.  Wm.  Seymour.  The  directions  given  me  by  yourself  res- 
pecting this  survey  have  been  strictly  observed.  Every  line  has  been  thor* 
oughly  examined,  and  judging  from  an  examination  of  the  field  books,  I 
should  think  the  route  even  more  favorable  than  you  anticipated.  The 
grades  will  be  generally  easy,  and  not  expensive.  About  ninety  miles  of 
instrumental  observations  were  made  to  obtain  a  line  for  location  of  less 
than  sixty.  My  surveys  were  all  completed  by  the  27th  of  October,  when 
the  party  was  disbanded  ;  and  I  am  happy  to  bear  testimony  to  the  zeal,  in- 
dustry, and  fidelity  of  each  member  of  the  party,  in  the  discharge  of  his 
respective  duties  while  in  the  field.  Their  promptness  and  activity  in  fol- 
lowing my  directions,  and  unity  of  action,  has  enabled  us  to  accomplish  so 
much  this  season. 

We  have  commenced  operations  in  our  office  in  Chicago,  and  shall  make 
our  maps,  profiles,  plans,  estimates,  &c.,  with  as  much  despatch  as  possible, 


79  [  259  ] 

We  have  much  work  before  us,  and  but  little  help  to  do  it.  However,  I 
think  we  can  have  everything  done  in  the  best  possible  manner  before  the 
spring  opens. 

I  have  engaged  the  services  of  an  assistant  draughtsman,  whose  compen- 
sation is  to  be  left  to  yourself  or  the  decision  of  the  board  of  public  works.  I 
consider  his  services  absolutely  necessary,  considering  the  extent  of  our 
surveys,  and  the  fact  that  my  surveyor  was  entirely  unacquainted  with 
draughting,  not  even  being  able  to  plat  his  own  field  book.  My  leveller  and 
surveyor  are,  and  will  be,  profitably  employed  in  the  office ;  and  consider- 
ing we  have  the  work  of  two  surveys  (viz:  Central  railroad  and  Q,uincy 
and  Meredosia)  to  do  in  our  office,  I  would  suggest  the  propriety  of  retain- 
ing, as  assistants  in  the  office,  the  two  young  men  who  acted  as  rodmen  on 
the  former  survey,  and  alternately  as  levellers  on  the  latter.  They  will 
soon  learn  to  render  much  assistance  in  platting  profiles,  estimating,  &c.? 
and  may  save  the  expense  of  another  draughtsman. 

As  soon  as  our  office  work  has  sufficiently  progressed,  I  shall  have  the 
honor  of  making  to  you  a  more  formal  and  detailed  report. 
In  the  mean  time, 

I  remain  your  most  obedient  servant, 

H.  P.  WOOD  WORTH, 

Assistant  Engineer. 
To  James  Seymour,  Esq., 

Chief  Engineer  Northern  Engineering  District ',  State  of  Illinois, 


Canton,  Illinois,  November  27,  1837. 

Sir  !  Having  been  appointed  to  conduct  the  survey  of  the  Peoria  and 
Warsaw  railroad,  and  having  completed  that  dutjr,  I  beg  leave  to  present 
the  following  report: 

By  the  internal  improvement  act  of  the  late  session  of  the  Legislature^ 
this  road  is  to  extend  from  the  town  of  Peoria,  on  the  Illinois  river,  to  War- 
saw, on  the  Mississippi,  about  four  miles  below  the  lower  rapids,  passing 
through  the  towns  of  Canton,  in  Fulton  county,  Macomb,  the  seat  of  jus- 
tice for  McDonough  county,  and  Carthage,  the  county  seat  of  Hancock 
county. 

It  has  been  deemed  proper  to  divide  the  road  into  four  divisions:  the  first5 
extending  from  Peoria  to  Canton,  the  second,  from  Canton  to  Macomb,  the 
third,  from  Macomb  to  Carthage,  and  the  fourth,  from  Carthage  to  Warsaw, 

1st  Division. 

The  country,  in  a  direct  line  between  Peoria  and  Canton,  is  not  favorable 
to  the  location  of  a  railroad,  on  account  of  the  numerous  valleys  and 
ravines  caused  by  the  head  branches  of  the  Big  and  Little  Lamarsh,  Cop- 
peras, and  several  smaller  creeks.  It  is,  therefore,  necessary  to  deviate  from 
a  direct  line,  either  to  the  south,  by  following  down  the  bottoms  of  the 
Illinois  river  about  twenty  miles,  then  ascending  the  bluff  on  a  grade  of 
forty  feet  per  mile,  cross  the  valley  of  Copperas  creek,  thence  north  to  Can- 


[  259  ]  80 

ton  ;  or  to  the  north,  ascending  the  bluff  at  Peoria,  and,  after  crossing  the 
valley  of  Kickapoo  creek,  gain  the  high  prairie  ridge  north  of  the  head 
waters  of  the  above  named  creeks.  Both  these  routes  being  feasible,  it 
was  necessary,  in  order  to  form  a  correct  opinion  of  their  relative  advan- 
tages, to  survey  each  of  them;  this  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  estimate 
of  the  two  lines  are  herewith  presented,  and  a  description  of  the  country, 
with  the  obstacles  to  be  encountered  on  each  route. 

Bottom  route. 

The  formation  of  the  bluffs  along  the  Illinois  river  are  of  such  a  nature, 
that  the  numerous  small  streams  which  flow  into  it,  from  the  high  prairies, 
cut  into  bluffs,  deep  and  often  wide  ravines,  and  the  earth,  thus  washed  from 
them,  is  deposited  in  the  bottoms  in  ridges,  and  on  the  top  of  these  ridges 
are  found  the  small  creeks  or  branches  which  will  necessarily  increase  the 
expense  of  crossing  them.  As  the  line  ascends  the  bluff,  it  is  obliged  to 
cross  ravines  caused  by  these  small  branches,  the  embankments  conse- 
quently increasing  in  depth  as  the  line  ascends  the  bluff.  After  ascending 
the  bluff  about  two  miles  and  gaining  near  the  top  of  it,  the  valley  of  Cop- 
peras creek  presents  itself  as  the  most  serious  obstacle  on  this  route.  The 
whole  length  of  embankment  across  this  valley  is  three  thousand  two  hun- 
dred feet,  (sixty-six  hundredths  of  a  mile,)  and  the  height  of  the  grade  line 
above  the  bottom  ninety  feet.  The  width  of  the  bottom  is  short,  (four 
hundred  feet,)  there  being  a  strip  of  bench  or  table  land  about  twelve  hun- 
dred feet  in  width.  The  average  height  of  the  grade  line  above  this  table 
is  sixty-five  feet.  The  cost  of  crossing  this  valley,  of  course,  depends  on 
the  plan  adopted. 

I  have  estimated  the  expense  required  to  build  a  solid  earth  embankment. 
On  the  west  side  of  Copperas  creek  valley  the  ground  is  nearly  level,  and 
covered  with  a  stinted  growth  of  oaks,  commonly  denominated  barrens. 
Through  this  timber  the  line  continues  about  two  miles,  then  enters  a 
prairie,  and  follows  the  same  to  Canton  ;  distance,  by  way  of  bottom  route, 
thirty  miles. 

Prairie  route. 

The  bluffs  at  Peoria  are  of  a  different  formation  from  those  generally 
bordering  on  the  Illinois  river,  there  being  a  strip  of  table  land  from  one  to 
two  miles  in  width,  and  eighty  feet  above  the  river.  To  gain  this  table 
land  (according  to  the  line  at  present  established)  will  require  a  grade  of 
forty  seven  and  five-tenths  feet  per  mile.  From  this  table  the  line  ascends 
the  second  bluff  to  the  high  prairie,  and  continues  on  the  same  about  one 
and  three-fourths  of  a  mile,  where  it  reaches  the  valley  of  Kickapoo  creek. 
The  valley  of  this  creek,  at  the  point  of  crossing,  is  one  thousand  feet  from 
bluff  to  bluff;  and  the  bottoms  are  one  hundred  and  sixty  feet  below  the 
grade  line.  The  plan  proposed  for  crossing  this  creek  is  by  a  bridge,  after 
the  form  of  Col.  Long's,  supported  by  timber  piers  from  the  bottom :  these 
are  to  be  covered  to  half  their  height  with  earth  brought  on  the  road  and 
dropped  around  their  base.  This  will  preserve  the  timber  from  decay  below 
the  earth,  and  serve  as  a  foundation  when  a  re-construction  shall  be 
required.  This  plan  is  proposed  for  crossing  similar  valleys  by  the  chief 
engineer  of  the  Niagara  and  Detroit  river  railroad,  and  the  bridges  are  in 


81 


[259] 


use  on  some  of  the  principal  railroads  in  the  country.  After  crossing  this 
valley,  the  line  follows  a  summit  ridge  between  some  small  branches  of 
the  Kickapoo  about  two  miles,  and  enters  the  prairie  near  Henry  Jones's. 
From  this  point  the  line  continues  to  Canton  on  a  prairie  ridge,  forming  a 
summit  between  the  head-waters  of  Big  and  Little  Lamarsh  and  Copperas 
creek  on  the  south,  the  branches  of  Kickapoo  and  Big  creek  on  the  north. 
Distance,  by  the  prairie  route,  thirty-two  and  two-tenths  miles. 

Estimate  for  grading  Prairie  route. 
328,198  cubic  yards  of  excavation,  at  14  c. 


437,114 


1 

19 


embankment,  at  15  c.     - 
culvert  for  a  branch  of  Copperas  creek 
small  culverts,  at  $120 
Clearing  and  grubbing 
Bridge  over  Kickapoo  creek  valley 

Total  estimate     - 


$45,949  72 

65,567  10 

500  00 

2,280  00 

1,500  00 

20,000  00 

$135,794  82 

Estimate  for  grading  Bottom  route. 

(Peoria  and  Copperas  creek  section,  22  miles/ 
179,600  cubic  yards  excavation,  at  14  c. 


183,076      <• 


embankment,  at  15c. 


Bridges  over  Kickapoo,  Big  and  Little  Lamarsh 
38  small  culverts,  at  $130 
Clearing  and  grnbbins: 


Total  estimate     - 


Copperas  creek  section,  two  miles. 

287,438  cubic  yards  excavation,  at  14  e.  - 

802,409      «         "■      embankment,  at  15  c. 
Viaduct  - 

2  culverts,  at  $130  -  -  - 

Clearing  and  grubbing  ... 

Total  estimate     - 

Copperas  creek  section  to  Canton,  six  miles. 

20,159  cubic  yards  excavation,  at  14  cents    - 
57,975  cubic  yards  embankment,  at  15  cents 
8  small  culverts,  at  $130 
Clearing  and  grubbing  ... 

Total  cost  of  bottom  route     - 
Total  cost  of  prairie  route     - 

Favor  of  prairie  route  - 

6 


$25,144  00 

27,;  61  40 

4,700  00 

4,940  00 

13,976  00 

$76,221  40 


$40,241  32 
120,361  35 

3,000  00 
260  00 

1,400  00 

$165,262  67 


$2,822  26 

8,696  25 

1,040  00 

600  00 

$254,642  58 
135,794  82 

$118,847  76 


[  259  ]  82 

Second  division,  Canton  to  Macomb,  36  7-10  miles* 

The  only  points  on  this  division  where  extra  expense  will  be  required^ 
are  the  valleys  of  Spoon  river  and  Big  creek  ;  the  latter  is  about  one  mile 
west  of  Canton,  and  presents  the  same  general  characteristics  of  all  the 
streams  throughout  this  country,  viz:  deep  valleys, (or  what  may  be  more  pro- 
perly denominated  ravines.)  abrupt  and  broken  bluffs,  and  uneven  ground  on 
either  side,  caused  by  their  small  tributaries.  The  only  point  near  the  di- 
rect line  where  it  is  possible  to  reach  the  main  valley  of  Big  creek,  without 
crossing  several  of  these  small  branches,  is  south  of  the  town  of  Canton.  It 
was  therefore  necessary  to  run  the  line  south  through  the  town,  before  at- 
tempting to  run  westerly  in  the  general  direction  of  the  road.  To  cross 
this  valley,  will  require  an  embankment  thirty  feet  high,  and  about  four 
hundred  feet  in  length,  with  an  ascending  and  descending  grade  of  thirty- 
seven  and  thirty-six  hundredths  feet  per  mile. 

After  crossing  the  valley  of  Big  creek,  and  passing  through  the  adjoining 
timber,  the  line  enters  upon  Totten's  prairie,  remarkable  for  its  regularity 
and  smoothness  of  surface.  This  prairie  is  -narrow,  forming  a  summit  be- 
tween the  branches  of  Big  creek  and  Spoon  river  on  the  south,  and  Put- 
nam's creek  on  the  north.  The  line  continues  down  this  prairie,  (passing 
through  the  town  of  Centreville,)  about  twelve  and  a  half  miles,  then  enters 
the  valley  of  Boughman's  branch,  and  continues  down  the  same  to  Spoon 
river* 

By  reference  to  the  table  of  grades,  it  will  be  seen  that  I  have  adopted 
grades  of  60  7-10ths  feet  per  mile,  for  two  and  a  half  miles,  and  44  9-10ths 
feet  per  mile  for  4,400  feet. 

By  a  resolution  of  the  board  of  commissioners  of  public  works,  the  grades 
on  all  the  railorads  in  the  State  are  limited  to  maximum  of  forty  feet  per 
mile.  In  compliance  with  that  requisition,  1  have  estimated  the  expense  of 
constructing  the  road  down  this  valley  on  that  grade.  It  may  be  proper 
here  to  remark,  that  if  this  latter  grade  is  adopted,  it  will  require  the  exca- 
vation to  be  made  below  the  surface  of  water  in  the  branches  near  its  source. 
It  will  therefore  be  necessary  to  excavate  the  road  bed  wider  than  usual,  in 
order  to  admit  drains  of  sufficient  width  to  carry  off  the  water  which  would 
naturally  flow  into  it.  It  may  also  be  advisable  to  construct  drains  on  -each 
side  of  the  excavation,  on  the  natural  surface,  to  prevent  injury  to  the  slopes 
from  washing. 

After  descending  the  valley  of  Boughman's  branch,  the  line  enters  the 
valley  of,  and  crosses  Spoon  river,  about  one  quarter  of  a  mile  above  Colonel 
Ball's  mill.  Alter  crossing  the  bottoms,  it  is  necessary  to  follow  down  the 
west  bluff,  about  one  and  three-fourths  mile,  then  cutting  through  a  spur 
of  the  same  between  the  river  and  Harris's  branch  the  line  enters  the  valley 
of  the  latter.  This  branch  presents  the  same  general  features  as  the  one  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  but  being  longer,  it  will  admit  of  grade  thirty- 
nine  and  seven-tenths  feet  per  mile,  until  near  its  source,  when  the  same 
necessity  occurs  for  adopting  a  steeper  grade  as  at  the  head  of  Boughman's 
branch  ;  it  does  not,  however,  require  one  so  steep,  being  fifty-two  and  five 
tenths  feet  per  mile  for  one  and  three-fourths  mile.  If  a  grade  of  forty 
feet  per  mile  is  adopted,  the  same  extra  expense  will  be  required  as  at  the 
head  of  the  branch  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river. 

From  the  head  of  Harris's  branch  to  Macomb,  (twelve  miles,)  the  line  is 
straight,  passing  over  a  large  prairie,  slightly  undulating  ;  and  by  adopting 
ithe  grade  to  the  sifrfaee,  little  expense  will  be  required  for  grading, 


83  [  259  ] 

&tlmate  for  grading  second  division,  thirty-si-x  and  seven-tenths  viiles ; 
Canton  to  the  head  of  Bough-marts  branchy  fourteen  miles. 

85,253  cubic  yards  of  excavation,  at  14  cents         -             -  $11,935  42 

100,423  cubic  yards  of  embankment,  at  15  cents      -             -  15,063  45 

4  culverts,  at  $120 480  00 

Clearing  and  grubbing        -  600  00 

Total  estimate        .....     $28,078  00 


Prom  the  head  of  Boughmarts  to  the  head  of  Harris's  branch,  ten  and 

three-fourths  miles. 

£7,317  cubic  yards  of  excavation,  at  14  cents 
54,063  cubic  yards  of  excavation,  at  15  cents 
9S,424  cubic  yards  of  embankment,  at  15  cents 
55,210  cubic  yards  of  embankment,  at  16  cents 
2,550  cubic  yards  rock  excavation,  $1  50 
9  culverts,  at  $120       - 
1  culvert  - 

450  cubic  yards  slope  wail,  at  $1 
Clearing  and  grubbing 

Total  estimate  -7  ...-.■   . 


$6,624  38 

8,109  45 

14,763  60 

8,833  60 

3,825  00 

1,080  00 

200  00 

450  00 

3,800  00 

$47,686  03 

ifth  miles. 

$2,245  74 

5,092  20 

360  00 

5,000  00 

$88,462  84 

Prom  head  of  Harris's  branch  to  Macomb,  eleven  and  one-fifth  miles 

16,041  cubic  yards  of  excavation,  at  14  cents 
33,948  cubic  yards  of  embankment,  at  15  cents 
3  culverts,  at  $120      - 

Bridges  over  Spoon  river  and  Big  creek 

Total  cost  of  grading  2d  division 


Estimate  for  grading  down  the  valley  of  Boughmarts  branch  on  grades 
of  sixty  and  seven-tenths  and  forty -four  and  nine-tenths  feet  per  mile, 
three  and  six-tenths  miles. 

On  sixty  seven-tenths  and  forty-four  nine-tenths  feet  per  mile     $12,576  44 
On  forty  feet  per  mile  -  80,005  07 

Favor  of  steeper  grades  .  .  -  -  $67,428  63 


Third  division^  Macomb  to  Carthage,  twenty-eight  miles. 

This  division  embraces  a  portion  of  the  country  drained  by  the  waters 
©f  Crooked  creek,  and  to  cross  its  valley  is  the  only  point  of  difficulty. 


f  259  ]  84 

On  a  direct  line  between  Macomb  and  Carthage,  this 'creek  is  divided  mi&' 
two  principal  forks,  called  "  the  East  and  West  forks,"  which  form  a  junc- 
tion about  twelve  miles  west,  and  three  and  a  half  south  of  Macomb.  The 
route  to  whicli  the  line  is  confined  for  twelve  miles  west  of  this  place,  is  a 
narrow,  flat  prairie,  directly  parallel  with  the  East  fork,  and  forming  a 
summit  between  that  and  Troublesome  creek.  The  line  continues  on  this 
prairie,  parallel  with  the  East  fork,  till  after  its  junction  with  the  West,  then 
descends  to  the  valley  of  the  main  creek,  through  the  valley  of  McDonough's 
branch.  At  the  head  of  this  branch,  and  in  the  points  of  the  bluff,  throtagh 
which  it  is  necessary  to  cut,  sandstone  rock  is  found  near  the  surface. 
This  is  the  only  point  on  the  road  where  there  is  any  amount  of  rock 
excavation.  After  crossing  Crooked  creek,  and  passing  over  a  prairie 
bottom  from  one-half  to  two  feet  below  high  water  mark,  the  line  enters 
the  valley  of  Asher's  branch,  and  continues  up  the  same  to  its  head.  This 
valley  is  favorable  to  the  location  of  a  railroad,  requiring  but  few  curves^ 
and  those  of  large  radii,  and  grades  of  twenty-six  and  four-tenths  and 
twenty-nine  feet  per  mile.  From  the  head  of  Asher's  branch  to  Carthage, 
it  is  necessary  to  cross  the  valleys  of  three  small  branches  of  Crooked  creek, 
running  in  a  northerly  direction,  requiring  short  and  deep  embankments, 
and  one  of  them  an  ascending  and  descending  grade  of  thirty-eight  and 
five-tenths,  and  thirty-five  and  eleven  hundredths  feet  per  mile  ;  otherwise 
the  line  passes  over  an  even  prairie,  and  enters  Carthage  on  the  south  side.- 
I  also  examined  a  route  following  neara  direct  line  between  the  extremes 
of  this  division,  and  crossing  both  forks  of  Crooked  creek.  The  objections 
to  this  route  are  the  difficulty  of  crossing  both  forks,  each  of  which  presents 
the  same  obstacles  as  the  valley  of  the  main  creek,  although  the  distance 
would  be  from  two  to  three  miles  less. 

Estimate  of  grading  third  division,  twenty -eight  miles. 

105,006  cubic  yards  of  excavation,  at  14  cents         -  -      $14,709  24 

32,181  cubic  yards  of  excavation,  at  15  cents 
14.545  cubic  yards  rock  excavation,  at  $1  50 
177,556  cubic  yards  of  embankment,  at  15  cents     - 
119,429  cubic  yards  of  embankment,  at  16  cents     - 
10  culverts,  at  $120 
2  culverts     - 

1  bridge  over  Crooked  creek 
Clearing  and  grubbing        - 

Total  estimate  - 


Fourth  division,  Carthage  to  Warsaw,  nineteen  miles. 

Between  Carthage  and  the  timber  adjoining  the  Mississippi,  is  a  prairie 
of  laro-e  extent,  drained  by  the  head  branches  of  Crooked,  Beaver,  and 
Warsaw  creeks.  To  avoid  their  valleys,  it  is  necessary  to  deviate  from  a 
direct  line  a  short  distance  to  the  north  and  south.  Approaching  the  Mis- 
sissippi, the  same  peculiarity  is  presented  as  near  the  Illinois  river,  viz:  the 
ground  ascending  towards  the  river  forming  a  ridge  parallel  with  it  from 


4,827 

15' 

21,819  00' 

26,633 

40 

19,108 

64 

1,200 

00 

2,000 

00 

2,000  00 

2,050 

00 

$94,347  43 

85 


£259] 


sixty  to  eighty  feet  above  the  general  surface  of  the  country.  To  gain  the 
summit  of  this  ridge,  an  ascending  grade  of  thirty  eight  feet  per  mile  is 
required.  The  line  then  descends  along  this  ridge  to  the  bluff,  in  the  rear 
of  Warsaw.  At  this  point,  in  order  to  gain  the  whole  descent  in  one  tan- 
gent, and  on  favorable  ground,  is  required  a  curve  of  five  hundred  feet 
radius,  which  is  the  only  one  under  twelve  thousand  feet  on  the  whole 
road.  The  grade  adopted  clown  this  bluff  to  the  river  is  one  hundred  and 
eighty-four  feet  per  mile.  On  this  grade  passengers  and  light  merchandise 
can  be  transported  with  a  single  locomotive,  but  the  heavier  articles  of 
transportation  will  require  extra  horse-power,  or  an  assistant  locomotive. 

The  country  near  the  Mississippi  is  exceedingly  broken  and  irregular  in 
its  formation,  and  much  care  and  examination  will  be  required  before  the 
best  possible  location  can  be  made. 


Estimate  of  grading  fourth  division,  nineteen  miles. 


225,631  cubic  yards  of  excavation,  at  14  cents 
200,888  cubic  yards  of  embankment,  at  15  cents 
22,376  cubic  yards  of  embankment,  at  16  cents 

8  culverts,  at  $120     - 

3  culverts,  at  $200     - 


Clearing  and  grubbing 


Total  estimate 


$31,588  34 

30,133  20 

3,580  00 

960  00 

600  00 

1,000  00 

$67,861  54 


Summary. 


1st  division — prairie  route 
2d    division 

3d    division         -        *    - 
4th  division 


$3,331  61  per  mile  for  grading. 


$  135,794  82 

88,462  84 
94,347  43 
67,861  54 

$386,466  63 


The  following  is  a  table  of  the  grades  adopted  from  Peoria  to  Warsaw 


[259] 


86 
TABLE  of  grades. 


9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 

16 
17 

18 
19 

20 
21 

22 
23 

24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 

30 

31 
32 
33 
34 

35 
36 
37 
38 
39 
40 
41 
42 
43 
44 
45 
46 
47 

AR 

4^ 
8®  . 
14 


Location. 


Peoria 


Cross  Kickapoo  creek 


Prairie 
Prairie 
Prairie 
Prairie 
Prairie 
Prairie 
Prairie 

Cross  branch  of  Cop- 
peras 

Canton 

Big  creek 

Totton's  prairie 
Totton's  prairie 
Totton's  prairie 
Totton's  prairie 
Totton's  prairie 
Centreville 


Valley  of  Bough  man's 

branch 
Valley  of  Boughman's 

branch 
Cross  Spoon  river 
Along  Spoon  river  bluff 


Valley  of  Harris's  br'nch 

Valley  of  Harris's  br'ncl 

Fulton  county 

McDonough  county    _ 

McDonough  county    _ 

Prairie 

Prairie 

Prairie 

Prairie 

Prairie 

Prairie 

Prairie 

Prairie 

Prairie 

Prairie 

Macomb 


o  a 

1° 
l."S 

Q 


Miles. 

0?95 

2.80 

3.41 

5.30 

6.30 

7.20 

10.04 

10.99 

12.40 

16.10 

17.99 

19.32 

20.45 

24.62 

27.08 
31.06 
32.01 
32.99 
34.28 
35.83 
36.93 
38.64 
39.50 
40.08 
40.91 
41.86 
46.21 
47.08 

49.20 

50.04 
51.60 
52.08 
52.42 
53.14 
53.98 
55.49 
57.16 
57.95 
58.52 
5". 28 
60.15 
60.61 
61.18 
61.83 
62.69 
63.45 
64.20 
65.53 
67.80 
68.75 
69.51 


bo 

G 


bo 


Miles 

0.95 
1.85 
0.61 

1.89 
O.99 
0.90 
2  84 
0.95 
1.41 
3.70 
1.89 
1.33 
1.13 
1.17 

2.46 
3.98 
0.95 
0.98 
1.29 
1.55 
1.10 
1.71 
0.86 
0.5& 
0.83 
0.95 
4.35 
0.87 

2.12 

0.84 
1.59 
0.45 
0.34 
0.70 
0.84 
1.51 
1.67 
0.79 
0.57 
0.70 
0.87 
0.46 
0.56 
0.75 
0.76 
0.76 
0.75 
1.33 
2.27 
0.95 
0.76 


Inclination  of  grade. 


Direction. 


Ascending 

Ascending 

Level 

Ascending 

Ascending 

Descending 

Ascending 

Descending 

Ascending 

Level 

Ascending 

Ascending 

Ascending 

Descending 

Descending- 
Descending 
Level 

Descending 
Ascending^ 
Ascending 
Descending 
Descending 
Ascending 
Ascending 
Descending 
Ascending 
Descending 
Descending 

Descending 

Descending 
Level 
Ascending 
Ascending 
Descending 
Ascending 
Ascending 
Ascending 
Ascending 
Level 
Ascending 
Descending 
Ascending 
Descending 
Ascending 
Descending 
Ascending- 
Ascending 
Level 
Ascending 
Level 
Ascending 


Per 
mile. 


Feet. 

47?50 

38.28 

55?44 
12.40 
11.22 

9.77 

9.24 

10.56 

10756 
4.49 

14.00 
2.64 

13.20 
182. 16 

30736 

36.96 

6 

7 
3 
4 

5 

5 

7 


60 
92 
17 
75 
28 
81 
09 
5.02 
3.70 


60.70 

44.90 

9?24 
39.60 
16.37 

29.06 
39.60 
52.80 
10.62 

13720 
15.80 

3.96 
14.94 

2.00 

9.20 
15.84 

9.24 

6734 

7759 


Total  elevation  of  feet. 


For  each  grade. 


Rise.        Fall. 


Feet. 

45700 
76.00 

105700 
12.20 

27775 

15700 

2o7oo 

5.95 
15.90 


47.60 
10.25 


4.14 
3.00 

77oo 


4.20 
12.19 

24720 

59.88 

88.00 

8.00 

io7oo 

L80 
i7so 

12700 

7.00 

14740 

5760 


Feet. 


10.30 

8775 


11.00 

32.50 
72.45 

29790 


8.70 
5.40 

4784 

21 786 
3.19 

128.80 

37.20 


11.78 


13.80 

8750 

77oo 


Above 
Peoria 
lake. 


Feet. 
41.00 
86.00 
157.00 
157.00 
262.00 
274.20 
264.00 
291.75 
283.00 
298.00 
298.00 
318.00 
323.95 
309.85 
328.83 

296.35 
223.90 
223.90 
194.00 
241.60 
251.85 
243.15 
237.75- 
241.89 
244.89 
240.05 
247.05 
225.19 
222.00 

93.20 

56.00 

56.00 

60.20 

72.39 

61.92 

86.12 

146.00 

234.00 

242.00 

242.00 

252.00 

238.20 

240.00 

231.50 

233.00 

226.00 

238.0CV 

245.00 

245.00 

259.40 

259.40 

265.00 


87 
TABLE— Continued. 


[259  ] 


q3 

2 

fcuo 

Location. 

O  e8 

O 

a 
o 

\ 
Inclination  of  grade. 

Total  elevation  in  feet. 

IB 

For  each  grade. 

Above 

03 

1° 

M*q 

Direction. 

Per 

Peoria 

a 

3 

fa 

g  fib 

mile. 

lake. 

1 

w  J; 

J 

Rise. 

Fall. 

Miles. 

Miles. 

Feet. 

Feet. 

Feet. 

Feel. 

52 

Prairie 

70.08 

0.57 

Descending- 

7.39 

_ 

4.20 

260.80 

53 

_            _            _ 

71.20 

1.13 

Level 

260.80 

54 

- 

72. 16 

0.95 

Descending 

7.39 

77oo 

253.80 

55 

73.48 

1.32 

Level 

253.80 

56 

_ 

74.24 

0.76 

Descending 

7?65 

5^80 

248.00 

57 

- 

75.00 

0.76 

Ascending 

5.28 

4700 

252.00 

58 

_ 

75.67 

0.67 

Level 

252.00 

59 

- 

76.33 

0.66 

Ascending 

10?56 

87oo 

260.00 

60 

- 

77.73 

1.40 

Descending 

7.92 

11.10 

248.90 

61 

- 

79.55 

1.82 

Level 

248.90 

m 

- 

80.69 

1.14 

Descending 

21~58 

_ 

24730 

224.00 

63 

-          - 

81.25 

0.56 

Descending 

12.61 

6.60 

218.00 

64 

Valley  of  McDonough's 

branch 

83.52 

2.27 

Descending 

58.00 

_ 

132.00 

86.00 

65 

Cross  Crooked  creek  _ 

85.61 

2.69 

Level 

_ 

_ 

_ 

86.00 

66 

Valley  of  Asher's  branch 

87.31 

1.70  , 

Ascending 

26.40 

45.00 

131.00 

67 

Valley  of  Asher's  branch 

88.45 

1.14 

Ascending 

29.00 

33.00 

_ 

164.00 

68 

- 

83.94 

0.49 

Descending 

10.56 

5.20 

158,80 

m 

Cross  Wilson's  branch 

89.96 

1.02 

Ascending 

29.00 

29.70 

_ 

188.50 

70 

—          —            _           _ 

90.53 

0.57 

Ascending 

21.12 

12.00 

200.50 

7t 

Cross  Owen's  branch  _ 

91.59 

1.06 

Descending 

35.11 

37.34 

163.16 

72 

_          _            _            _ 

92.87 

1.28 

Ascending 

38.50 

49764 

_ 

212.80 

73 

_ 

93.94 

1.07 

Ascending 

4.22 

4.48 

_ 

217.2S 

74 

Cross  Carthage  branch 

94.55 

0.61 

Descending 

27.98 

17.08 

200.20 

75 

Prairie 

95.34 

0.79 

Ascending 

15.05 

1L97 

_ 

212.17 

76 

Prairie 

96.02 

0.68 

Level 

_ 

_ 

_ 

212.17 

77 

Prairie 

96.97 

0.95 

Ascending 

26.40 

25.00 

_ 

237.17 

78 

Pass  Carthage 

98.86 

1.89 

Ascending 

14.73 

26.00 

_ 

263.17 

79 

Prairie 

100.19 

0.33 

Descending 

3.96 

_ 

5.25 

257.92 

80 

Prairie 

100.37 

0.18 

Level 

_ 

257.92 

81 

Cross  small  branch  of 

Bear  creek  _ 

101.33 

0.96 

Descending 

23.23 

22.00 

235.92 

82 

-          -            _           _. 

102.65 

1.32 

Descending 

3.70 

4.92 

231.00 

83 

- 

103.24 

0.57 

Descending 

11.35 

_ 

7  00 

224.00 

84 

—          —         ■  _           _ 

109.85 

6.61 

Level 

_ 

_ 

_ 

224.00 

85 

_          _            _           _ 

111.97 

2.12 

Ascending 

38.28 

81.20 

305.20 

88 

Summit  of  ridge 

112.31 

0.34 

Level 

_ 

305.20 

87 

Along  ridge    _ 

113.82 

1.52 

Descending 

39760 

_ 

60.00 

245.20 

88 

Along  ridge    _ 

114.77 

0.95 

Descending 

31.68 

_ 

30.00 

215.20 

89 

Along  ridge     _ 

115.18 

0.41 

Descending 

34.84 

14.50 

200.70 

90 

Along  ridge    _ 

115.23 

0.05 

Level 

200.70 

91 

Warsaw 

115.97 

0.74 

Descending 

184780 

_ 

136750 

64.20 

92 

Mississippi  river 

116.00 

0.03 

Level 

- 

- 

- 

64.20 

The  foregoing  estimates  are  liberal,  and  cannot  fail  to  build  the  road. 
If  frame  work  is  adopted  in  place  of  heavy  embankments,  the  first  cost 
may  be  much  reduced. 

The  whole  length  of  the  road  (by  way  of  the  prairie  route,  first  division) 
is  one  hundred  and  sixteen  miles,  passing  through  a  country  celebrated  for 
the  fertility  of  its  soil  and  the  salubrity  of  its  climate,  rapidly  settling  with 
an  industrious  and  enterprising  population,  and  who  have  evinced,  through- 


[259] 


88 


out  the  whole  length  of  the  road,  a  commendable  interest  in  its  progress. 
Liberal  donations  of  land  for  depots  have  been  offered  in  some  of  the  towns 
upon  the  line.  Although  the  grades  are  undulating,  to  suit  the  surface  of 
the  country,  they  will  not  suffer  in  comparison  with  any  road  of  equal 
extent  in  the  country. 

The  following  table  will  give  the  gross  load  with  which  an  engine  of 
eight  tons  weight  can  ascend  grades  varying  from  a  level  to  one  hundred 
and  fifty  feet  per  mile : 


Ascension  per  mile. 

Tons. 

Ascension  per  mile. 

Tons. 

Level. 

160.00 

50 

50.05 

5 

134.39 

60 

43.33 

10 

113.79 

70 

38.07 

15 

101.12 

80 

33.68 

17 

96.03 

90 

30.10 

20 

87.58 

100 

27.10 

30 

70.63 

150 

17.14 

40 

58.80 

. 

By  applying  the  grades,  in  the  foregoing  table  of  grades,  to  the  above,  the 
gross  load  of  one  engine  is  ascertained, 

Curvatures. 

With  the  exception  of  the  curve  at  Warsaw,  there  will  be  required  no 
curves  under  one  thousand  two  hundred  feet  radii.  The  majority  of  them 
are  from  two  to  twelve  hundred  feet,  and  on  a  final  location  they  may  be 
much  improved. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted,  by 

Your  obedient,  humble  servant,  &c, 

JOHN  W.  1NGERSQLL. 
To  James  Seymour,  Esq. 

State  op  Illinois,  ) 
Fayette  county.  \ 
Personally  came  J.  W.  Ingersoll  before  me,  the  undersigned,  an  acting 
justice  of  the  peace  within  and  for  said  county,  and  made  oath  that  the 
facts  and  statements  in  his  report,  as  engineer,  signed  by  him,  are  true3 
according  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  belief. 

[l.  s.]  Witness  my  hand  and  seal,  this  9th  of  December,  1837. 

ALLEN  McPHAIL,  J.  P. 


Engineers'  Office,  Western  District, 

Jacksonville^  October  29,  1837. 
Gentlemen  :  In  conformity  with  the  instructions  of  the  acting  com- 
missioner'of  the  first  judicial  district,  and  the  plan  of  operations  previously 
adopted  with  reference  to  the  speedy  prosecution  of  all  the  surveys  in  this 
district,  the  necessary  arrangements  were  made  as  soon  as  practicable  after 
the  final  location  of  the  first  division  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  to 


89  [  259  ] 

commence  the  survey  and  location  of  a  route  for  the  Pekin  and  Blooming- 
ton  railroad,  and  the  continuation  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  beyond 
Springfield.  The  requisite  instructions  were  issued,  two  brigades  of  engi- 
neers organized,  and  the  survey  of  the  former  road  assigned  lo  Mr.  Win. 
Pollock,  and  the  latter  to  Mr.  Frederick  Hawn.  Subsequently  instructions 
were  received  from  the  acting  commissioner  of  the  first  judicial  district, 
requiring  the  immediate  preparation  for  contract  of  that  part  of  the  Pekin 
and  Bloomington  railroad  between  Pekin  and  Tremont,  and  of  that  part  of 
the  third  division  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  between  Springfield  and 
the  northern  bank  of  the  Sangamon  river.  Accordingly  the  definitive  loca- 
tion of  both  portions  of  the  respective  roads  have  been  completed,  as  soon 
as  possible,  by  the  gentlemen  to  whose  charge  they  were  confided,  and  their 
reports  and  estimates  are  herewith  transmitted. 

The  country  between  Pekin  and  Tremont,  as  was  anticipated,  presents 
great  obstacles  to  the  economical  construction  of  that  part  of  the  road. 
We  have,  however,  been  fortunate  in  being  able  to  adopt  a  very  direct 
route;  the  value  of  which  location  is  enhanced  by  the  long  and  steep  grades 
which  have  been  found  unavoidable,  and  which  would  have  been  more 
objectionable  in  curvatures.  The  cost  of  graduating  the  northern  route, 
through  Park  street,  in  Tremont,  which  is  undoubtedly  the  cheapest  and 
most  direct,  amounts  to  $100,294,  which,  added  to  the  probable  cost  of  the 
superstructure  for  nine  and  fifty-nine  hundredths  miles,  at  $6,110  per  mile, 
makes  the  total  cost  $174,778,  or  $18,225  per  mile,  including  an  allowance 
of  10  per  cent,  for  superintendence  and  contingent  expenses.  As  the  bad 
health  of  Mr.  Pollock  and  his  party,  and  the  unfavorable  state  of  the 
weather,  has  rendered  it  impossible  to  extend  the  examinations  to  Bloom- 
ington, within  the  time  fixed  for  letting  the  1st  division  of  the  road,  I  am 
unable  to  state  how  much  the  average  cost  of  the  whole  road  may  be  reduced 
by  the  evidently  more  favorable  character  of  the  residue  of  the  route. 

The  examinations  of  the  route  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad  has  been 
extended  east  of  Springfield  to  Decatur,  and  the  country  sufficiently  ex- 
amined to  ascertain  the  practicability  of  obtaining  a  very  cheap  and  favor- 
able route,  though  the  location  is  by  no  means  fixed,  except  for  the  first 
seven  miles  east  of  Springfield,  which  has  been  definitively  located,  and  is 
now  ready  for  contract,  agreeably  to  the  instructions  of  the  acting  commis- 
sioner. 

The  route  selected  for  this  part  of  the  3d  division  is  unusually  favorable, 
notwithstanding  the  unavoiably  great  expense  of  crossing  the  Sangamon 
river.  The  length  of  the  bridge  across  the  river  I  have  estimated  at  300 
feet,  or  two  spans  of  150  feet  each;  to  decide  whether  this  is  sufficient  to 
pass  its  waters  or  not,  it  will  be  necessary  to  examine  the  stream  when 
high,  an  opportunity  for  which  will  probably  occur  the  ensuing  winter  or 
spring.  The  cost  of  graduating  this  portion  of  the  3d  division  of  the 
Northern  Cross  railroad  six  and  sixty-six  hundredths  miles  in  length,  is 
estimated  at  $58,237,  and  the  superstructure,  at  $6,339  per  mile,  at  $42,219; 
amounting  to  $110,483,  or  $16,569  per  mile,  including  10  per  cent,  for 
superintendence  and  contingencies.  The  remaining  part  of  the  route  to 
Decatur  is  so  favorable  to  the  economical  construction  of  the  road,  that 
there  can  be  no  doubt  but  that  the  average  cost  of  the  whole  division  will 
be  less  than  $9,000  per  mile. 

The  above  estimates  are  predicated  upon  the  value  of  labor  and  materials 
at  this  time;  but  I  must  here  express  my  conviction  that,  unless  too  large 


[  259  ]  90 

a  quantity  of  work  is  put  under  contract  at  once  in  this  State,  the  former 
must  soon  fall,  as  the  fact  is  notorious  that  most  of  the  public  works  in  the 
east  are  finished,  and  that  great  numbers  of  laborers  are  compelled  to  pro- 
ceed west  to  obtain  employment. 

I  will  here  suggest  the  propriety  of  deferring  putting  under  contract,  or 
at  least  laying  down,  the  superstructure  of  that  part  of  the  Northern  Cross 
railroad  between  Springfield  and  the  Sangamon  river,  until  the  completion 
of  the  graduation  between  Jacksonville  and  Springfield ;  by  so  doing,  the 
embankments  will  have  an  opportunity  to  settle,  especially  in  the  valley  of 
the  Sangamon,  and  the  superstructure,  when  laid,  will  be  less  liable  to 
derangement,  and  more  durable. 

To  insure  the  greatest  durability  of  timber,  it  should  be  cut  in  Decem- 
ber or  January:  this  is  an  old  rule.  There  is  little  doubt,  however,  but 
that  timber  is  just  as  good  cut  in  the  summer,  provided  it  is  immediately 
deprived  of  its  bark,  and  squared  so  as  to  take  off  the  sap ;  but  it  is  difficult 
to  enforce  a  strict  compliance  with  such  a  requisition.  The  timber  for  the 
bridges  on  the  first  and  second  divisions  Northern  Cross  railroad  will  be 
cut  this  winter.  Models  of  these  important  structures,  including  that 
across  the  Sangamon,  are  now  being  made,  so  that  there  can  be  no  possible 
error  in  their  construction  ;  the  plan  is  one  that  admits  of  the  renewal  and 
repair  of  any  of  the  parts  with  facility. 

The  plan  of  the  superstructure  of  the  roads  is  the  same  as  that  adopted 
on  the  1st  and  2d  divisions  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  viz :  mud  sills, 
supporting  cross  ties,  which  connect  the  longitudinal  rails.  This  seems 
to  be  the  most  substanial  plan  that  could  be  employed  consistent  with  a 
proper  economy,  and  is  capable  of  ready  adjustment. 

It  would  be  prudent,  I  think,  at  this  time,  to  provide  for  the  future  repairs 
of  the  roads,  by  establishing  nurseries  of  timber.  The  locust  is  the  best  adapt- 
ed to  our  deep  loamy  soil,  and  is  the  most  durable  timber  for  the  purpose  ; 
there  is  sometimes  a  difficulty  in  making  the  seeds  germinate,  but  they  are 
very  certain  to  do  so  if  boiling  hot  water  is  poured  upon  them,  and  they 
are  suffered  to  stand  24  hours,  or  until  they  swell.  The  cost  of  160  acres 
of  land,  fencing,  ploughing,  planting,  interest  of  cost  and  tending  for  ten 
years,  could  not  exceed  $8,000,  and  "it  would  produce  at  least  50,000  trees, 
a  sufficient  quantity  of  timber  to  entirely  renew  the  superstructure  on 
thirty  miles  of  road.  The  cost  of  the  present  inferior  timber  employed 
greatly  exceeds  the  above  estimate,  and  is  certainly  of  not  one-fourth  the 
value. 

It  is  highly  probable  that,  when  it  becomes  necessary  to  renew  the  present 
superstructure  on  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  it  will  be  found  expedient  to 
relay  it  upon  a  continuous  wall  of  masonry,  the  materials  for  which  can 
be  cheaply  transported  on  the  road,  in  which  event  less  timber  will  be 
required. 

In  the  accompanying  papers  marked  A  and  B  will  be  found  the  reports 
of  Messrs.  Pollock  and  Hawn,  and  in  those  marked  C  and  D,  estimates,  in 
detail,  of  the  respective  roads  prepared  for  contract.  The  maps  and  pro- 
files will  be  forwarded  as  soon  as  it  is  practicable  to  execute  duplicates. 

With  high  respect, 

Your  obedient  servant. 

J.  M.  BUCKLIN, 
Principal  Engineer  Western  District. 

To  the  honorable  Board  op  Public  Works 

Of  the  State  of  Illinois, 


91  [  259  ] 

Jacksonville,  October  25,  1837. 
Sir:  I  respectfully  submit  the  following  report,  and  accompanying  map 
and  profiles,  which  exhibit  the  result  of  an  examination  and  survey  for 
that  portion  of  the  contemplated  Pekin  and  Bloomington  railroad  between 
the  former  place  and  Tremont,  a  distance  of  nine  miles  and  a  half;  and 
also  of  an  experimental  line  from  Tremont  to  Mackinaw  town,  a  distance 
of  seven  miles  and  a  half  more. 

Agreeably  with  your  instructions,  1  commenced  the  survey  at  Pekin  two 
months  ago.  It  was  your  expectation  that,  before  quitting  the  field,  I  would 
run  an  experimental  line  the  whole  distance  from  Pekin  to  Bloomington, 
and  to  complete  th»  location  from  the  former  place  as  far  east  as  Tremont, 
and  as  much  farther  as  practicable,  this  fail.  It  is  probable  your  expecta- 
tion would  have  been  realized,  had  the  weather  proved  favorable  ;  but  the 
operations  were  considerably  retarded  by  Jong-continued  rains,  and  still 
more  so  by  sickness,  probably  caused  by  exposure  in  camping  out  in  wet 
weather.  The  party  commenced  taking  sick  on  the  10th  of  September, 
and  in  a  few  days  after,  the  hands  were  nearly  all  afflicted  with  the  ague 
and  fever,  in  consequence  of  which  the  operations  were  suspended,  or 
nearly  so,  and  could  not  be  resumed  until  a  new  set  of  hands  were  procured 
from  a  distance. 

Previous  to  commencing  the  survey,  I  made  a  reconnoissance  of  the 
country  between  Pekin  and  Tremont,  and  found  it  more  unfavorable  for 
the  construction  of  a  railroad  than  I  had  anticipated,  heavy  excavations 
and  embankments  being  unavoidable.  The  most  prominent  obstacles 
that  present  themselves  between  those  two  places,  are  the  bluff,  or  an  abrupt 
ascent  from  the  valley  of  the  Illinois  river,  which  commences  near  two  miles 
east  of  Pekin,  and  an  elevated  ridge  intervening  between  Pekin  and  the 
bluff.  Also,  James  ridge,  situated  about  two  miles  and  a  half  west  of  Tre- 
mont, and  the  adjoining  valley  of  Dillon's  creek,  between  the  ridge  and 
Tremont. 

To  ascend  from  Pekin  to  the  high  land  and  overcome  the  bluff,  two 
routes  were  presented,  viz:  "  Indian  Hollow"  and  "  Hayne's  Hollow.'1  Lines 
were  run  up  each  of  them  to  their  heads,  by  which  I  found  the  former  to 
be  decidedly  preferable,  on  several  accounts.  Firstly :  That  its  direction 
is  the  most  favorable,  it  not  exceeding  half  a  mile  from  a  straight  line  be- 
tween Pekin  and  Tremont,  whilst  the  other  varies  from  it  nearly  two  miles. 
Secondly :  That  it  is  longer,  and  will  admit  of  a  grade  of  fifty  feet  per  mile, 
whilst  the  other  would  require  eighty.  And  thirdly :  That  the  ridge  before 
mentioned  as  intervening  between  Pekin  and  the  bluff,  presents  a  less 
difficulty  in  that  direction  than  in  the  other.  Hayne's  Hollow  was  there- 
fore abandoned,  and  the  line  continued  from  the  head  of  Indian  Hollow 
eastwardly,  crossing  Lost  creek  and  other  small  streams  running  southerly, 
and  passing  James's  ridge,  where  a  favorable  depression  occurs  about  half 
a  mile  south  of  Mr.  James's.  From  thence,  continuing  due  east  the  greater 
part  of  the  distance  to  Tremont,  running  on  a  line  between  sections  of  land, 
and  passing  through  South  street,  the  dividing  line  between  the  old  and 
new  town  of  Tremont,  so  called  :  the  one  is  the  original  town,  and  the  other 
an  addition  layed  out  at  a  subsequent  period. 

From  Tremont  the  line  was  continued  to  Mackinaw  town,  crossing 
Prairie  creek,  Mud  creek,  and  the  Mackinaw  river.  The  western  bluff  of 
the| Mackinaw  was  descended  at  a  favorable  place,  commencing  two  miles 
from  Tremont,  in  the  direction  of  Stout's  mill.     The  valley  at  this  place  is 


[  259  ]  92 

wide,  owing  to  the  junction  of  the  valley  of  Mud  creek.  The  line  passes 
about  a  half  a  mile  north  of  Stout's  mill,  through  a  favorable  depression  in 
the  point  of  a  ridge  that  makes  down  between  the  Mackinaw  and  Mud 
creek.  It  crosses  the  Mackinaw  river  near  three-fourths  of  a  mile  above 
Stout's  mill,  and  strikes  the  eastern  bluff  of  the  Mackinaw  nearly  one  mile 
and  a  half  below  the  town  of  Mackinaw.  We  have,  then,  in  order  to  reach 
the  level  of  Mackinaw  town,  to  rise  103  feet.  To  accomplish  that  in  the 
distance  above  mentioned,  would  require  a  grade  of  a  fraction  over  sixty- 
eight  feet  per  mile ;  and  the  bluff  being  much  broken,  heavy  embankments 
would  be  required  within  that  distance.  The  grade  could  be  modified  by 
extending  an  embankment  out  from  the  foot  of  the  bluff,  or  by  selecting 
that  part  of  the  town  which  lies  on  the  side  of  the  bluff  for  the  entrance  of 
the  road.     The  latter  would  probably  be  the  least  expensive. 

The  line  which  I  have  been  describing,  bends  to  the  south  nearly  one 
mile  and  a  quarter  from  a  direct  line  between  Tremont  and  Mackinaw ; 
but  from  the  reconnoissance  which  I  have  made  of  the  country,  I  am  of  the 
opinion  that  it  is  close  upon  the  most  eligible  route  that  can  be  selected. 
To  adopt  a  more  northern  route  would  involve  the  necessity  of  encounter- 
ing the  bluffs  or  banks  of  Mud  creek,  which  would  be  attended  with  con- 
siderable expense.  On  the  present  line  they  are  avoided,  and  the  stream 
itself  is  crossed  in  the  valley  of  the  Mackinaw.  But  the  greatest  difficulty, 
it  appears  to  me,  on  a  more  northern  route,  would  be  the  valley  of  the 
Mackinaw.  Opposite  Mackinaw  town,  in  the  direction  of  Tremont,  I 
would  suppose  it  to  be  three-fourths  of  a  mile  wide,  and  from  that  direction 
to  reach  the  town,  which  is  situated  immediately  on  the  eastern  bluff,  at 
the  height  above  the  valley  of  near  one  hundred  feet,  would  certainly  be  dif- 
ficult, at  a  moderate  grade,  and  a  reasonable  expense.  A  more  minute  ex- 
amination of  the  country,  however,  would  be  proper  before  the  final  deter- 
mination of  this  part  of  the  route. 

A  line  was  projected  direct  from  the  western  bluff  of  the  Mackinaw,  at 
the  point  before  mentioned,  to  a  depression  in  James's  ridge,  nearly  half  a 
mile  north  of  Mr.  James's  residence,  passing  a  little  obliquely  through  the 
centre  of  the  public  square  of  the  old  town  of  Tremont,  and  passing  Dillon's 
creek  at  an  eligible  point ;  thence  direct  to  the  head  of  Indian  Hollow,  cross- 
ing the  intermediate  streams  and  hollows  higher  up  than  the  former  line, 
and  consequently  less  expensive  on  account  of  these  not  being  so  deep. 
The  straightness  of  this  line,  however,  recommends  it  more  than  the  dif- 
ference of  expense,  it  not  varying  to  exceed  four  hundred  feet  from  a  straight 
line  for  the  distance  of  nearly  eight  miles. 

Few  curves  will  be  required,  and  the  radius  of  none  of  them  will  be 
shorter  than  one  thousand  four  hundred  and  thirty  feet.  A  very  small 
proportion  of  the  road  will  be  level,  and  the  grades  will  range  from  ten  to 
fifty  feet  per  mile.  It  was  not  expected  by  you  that  the  grades  would  ex- 
ceed forty  feet  per  mile,  but  to  adopt  a  less  inclination  than  fifty  feet  on 
some  parts  of  the  road  would  be  attended  with  enormous  expense. 

The  location  line  commences  at  the  top  of  the  bank  of  the  Illinois  river 
at  the  foot  of  Market  street  in  Pekin,  ancTcontiues  out  said  street  for  near 
half  a  mile,  when  it  bears  to  the  left  in  the  direction  of  Indian  Hollow, 
cutting  obliquely  across  the  lots  of  one  or  two  additions  to  the  town. 

The  elevation  of  the  line  at  the  commencement  is  thirty-six  feet  above 
low  water  mark  in  the  river,  and  continues  level  for  seven  hundred  feet. 
The  next  one  thousand  feet,  which  reaches  the  eastern  boundary  of  the 


93  [  2S9  ] 

public  square,  is  inclined  at  the  rate  of  ten  feet  per  mile.  The  whole 
distance  so  far  is  seventeen  hundred  feet,  and  nearly  level,  it  will  be  ample 
space  for  the  erection  of  depots  and  other  buildings,  and  for  the  transaction 
of  all  business  connected  with  the  road  at  that  place. 

Near  the  eastern  boundary  of  the  public  square  a  grade  of  fifty  feet  per 
mile  commences,  which  is  continued  to  the  table  land  at  the  head  of  Indian 
Hollow,  a  distance  of  three  miles  and  twenty-one  hundred  feet.  Thence 
on  the  straight  line  before  described,  as  far  as  James's  ridge,  and  also  from 
there  to  Tremont,  with  the  exception  of  a  slight  variation  to  the  left  between 
that  and  Dillon's  creek,  and  also  to  the  right  as  it  approaches  the  town  of 
Tremont,  in  order  to  pass  through  Park  street,  instead  of  passing  obliquely 
across  the  lots  of  the  town. 

A  location  line  was  also  ruu  from  the  northern  crossing  of  Dillon's  creek, 
through  South  street,  to  the  western  boundary  of  Tremont. 

Rock  for  the  construction  of  bridges,  culverts,  &c,  will  be  inconvenient, 
unless  new  discoveries  of  quarries  are  made,  which  I  think  probable  might 
be  if  the  necessary  examinations  were  made.  There  are  indications  of  rock 
along  the  banks  of  all  the  larger  streams.  Those  quarries  that  are  known 
to  exist  at  present  have  not  required  much  ingenuity  or  science  to  discover 
them,  as  the  rock  most  generally  projected  beyond  the  surface  of  the  ground. 
Unless  new  quarries  are  discovered,  the  rock  necessary  for  the  construction 
of  the  road  as  far  as  Tremont  will  have  to  be  taken  from  the  bluffs  of  the 
Illinois  river.  Mr.  Alexander  owns  a  quarry  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile 
from  the  line  at  the  mouth  of  Indian  Hollow,  though  not  of  so  good  a  qual- 
ity as  would  be  desirable. 

Timber  for  the  use  of  the  road,  I  am  credibly  informed,  can  be  obtained 
along  the  valleys  of  Dillon's  creek  and  the  Mackinaw  river,  at  the  distance 
of  three  or  four  miles  south  of  the  line.  There  are  also  a  number  of  good 
saw  mills  within  the  same  distance  of  the  line,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
timber.  An  abundance  of  good  timber  might  also  be  obtained  from  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  bluff  west  of  the  Illinois  river,  at  the  distance  of  tour  or  five 
miles  from  Pekin. 

The  country  between  Pekin  and  Mackinaw  is  chiefly  prairie,  and  well 
adapted  to  farming  purposes  ;  and  between  the  former  place  and  Tremont, 
it  is  pretty  well  settled  and  improved.  The  distance  between  Pekin  and 
the  termination  of  our  lines  in  Tremont  is,  by  the  southern  route,  ten  miles 
two  hundred  and  sixty  feet ;  the  northern  route  through  Park  street  is  nine 
and  a  half  miles,  and  four  hundred  and  eighty  feet ;  and  the  northern  route, 
through  South  street,  nine  and  a  half  miles  and  nine  hundred  and  sixty  feet. 

The  probable  expense  of  graduation  and  masonry  on  the  first  of  the  above 
would  be  one  hundred  and  three  thousand  nine  hundred  and  seventy-two 
dollars,  or  ten  thousand  three  hundred  and  forty  six  dollars  per  mile.  The 
second  would  be  one  hundred  thousand  two  hundred  and  ninety-seven  dol- 
lars, or  ten  thousand  four  hundred  and  fifty-seven  dollars  per  mile ;  and  on 
the  third,  one  hundred  and  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  sixty-four  dol- 
lars, being  at  the  rate  of  ten  thousand  five  hundred  and  twenty-one  dollars 
per  mile. 

From  Tremont  to  Mackinaw  the  expense  per  mile  will  probably  be  about 
the  same, 

I  was  assisted  in  the  survey  by  Mr.  Woods  and  Mr.  Hardin  ;  the  former 
made  the  compass  survey,  and  the  latter  took  the  levels,     I  have  the  plea- 


[  259  ]  94 

sure  to  state  that  bo$i  performed  their  respective  duties  industriously  and 
satisfactorily. 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

WM.  BOLLOCK, 
Senior  Assistant  Engineer   Western  District, 
James  M.  Bucrlin,  Esq., 

Chief  Engineer  of  the   Western  District. 


ESTIMATE  OP  THE  COST  OF  GRADUATION. 

NORTHERN  ROUTE,  THROUGH   PARK  STREET,   IN  TREMONT,  COMMENCING 

AT    PEKIN. 

Section  1st 

Excavation,  70,847  cubic  yards,  at  35  cents  per  yard 
Excavation,  1,745  cubic  yards,  at  15  cents  per  yard  - 
Embankment,  1,445  cubic  yards,  at  15  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  25  perches,  at  $6  per  perch 


Section  2d, 

Excavation,  66,910  cubic  yards,  at  35  cents  per  yard 
Excavation,  3)755  cubic  yards,  at  16  cents  per  yard  - 
Embankment,  316  cubic  yards,  at  10  cents  per  yard  - 
Masonry,  16  perches,  at  $5  per  perch  .  * 


Section  3d. 

Excavation)  570  cubic  yards,  at  14  cents  per  yard 
pmbankment,  7,043  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  40  perches,  at  $6  per  perch 

Section  Atk. 

Excavation,  13,200  cubic  yards,  at  22  cents  pet  yard 
Embankment,  3,316  cubic  yards,  at  16  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  20  perches,  at  $6  per  perch  *>  * 


$24,796  45 
261  75 
216  75 
150  00 

$25,424  95 

$23,418  50 

579  80 

31  60 

80  00 

$24,109  90 

$79  80 

1,480  80 

240  00 

$1^800  60 

$2,904  00 
530  50 
120  00 

$3,554  56 

95  [259] 

Section  5ih. 


Excavation,  17,716  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Embankment,  12,850  cubic  yards,  at  25  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  60  perches,  $6         - 


Section  6th. 

Excavation,  7,253  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Embankment,  9,476  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  143  perches,  at  $7 


Section  7th. 

Excavation,  36,459  cubic  yards,  at  30  cents  per  yard 
Excavation,  2,471  cubic  yards,  at  16  cents  per  yard 
Embankment,  1,498  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  16  perches,  at  $6     -  - 

Grubbing       .--... 


Section  8th» 

Excavation,  948  cubic  yards,,  at  12  cents  per  yard 
Embankment,  6,216  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Embankment,  28,042  cubic  yards,  at  26  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  90  perches,  at  $6    - 


Section  9tk. 

Excavation,  14^637  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Embankment,  22,162  cubic  yards,  at  25  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  230  perches,  at  $7 
Bridge,  40  feet  span,  $20  per  foot        *  * 


$3,543  20 

3,212  50 

360  00 

$7,115  70 

$1,450  60 
1,895  20 
1,001  00 

$4,346  80 

$10,937  70 

395  36 

899  66 

96  00 

150  00 

$12,478  72 

$113  76 

1,243  20 

7,290  92 

540  00 

$9,187  88 

$2*927  40 

5,540  50 

1,610  00 

800  00 

$10,877  90 

[  259  ]  96 

Section  10th. 

Excavation,  2,910  cubic  yards,  at  16  cents  per  yard  -       $465  60 

Embankment,  3,272  cubic  yards         -  654  40 

Masonry,  40  perches  -  280  00 


$1,800  00 


NORTHERN    ROUTE,    PASSING    THROUGH    SOUTH    STREET. 

The  first  eight  sections  are  common  to  the  foregoing  route. 

Section  9th. 

Excavation,  20.115  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Embankment,  22,762  cubic  yards,  at  25  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  230  perches,  at  $7  - 
Bridge,  40  feet  span,  at  $20  per  foot 


Section  lOtk. 

Excavation,  5,260  cubic  yards,  at  16  cents  per  yard  - 
Embankment,  3,000  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  40  perches,  at  $7     - 


SOUTHERN    ROUTE,    PASSING   THROUGH    SOUTH    STREET. 

The  first  three  sections  are  common  to  the  preceding  routes. 

Section  Atfu 

Excavation,  4,538  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard  * 
Embankment,  6,066  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  20  perches,  at  $6     -  -  - 


Section  &t)u 

Excavation,  4,297  cubic  yards,  at  16  cents  per  yard    * 
Embankment,  32,300  cubic  yards,  at  25  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  75  perches,  at  $6    - 


$4,023  00 

5,690 

50 

1,610 

00 

800  00 

$12,123 

50 

$84.1 

61 

600 

00 

280  00 

$1,721 

60 

$907  60 

1,209  20 

120  00 

$2,236  80 

$687  72 

8,075  00 

450  00 

$9,212  72 

97  [  259  ] 

Section  6t/i. 


Excavation,  9,425  cubic  yards,  at  25  cents  per  yard  - 
Embankment,  8,958  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  30  perches,  at  $6     - 


Grubbing 


Section  7  th. 

Excavation,  35,934  cubic  yards,  at  25  cents  per  yard  - 
Embankment,  22,737  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Bridge  across  Lost  creek  - 

Grubbing  and  clearing  -   j         -  '  -.  - 


Section  8th. 

Excavation,  22,480  cubic  yards,  at  18  cents  per  yard  -  -  $4,046  40 

Embankment,  3,552  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard  -  710  40 

Masonry,  40  perches,  at  $T     -    '         -            -            -  -  280  00 


Section  9th. 

Excavation,  18,040  cubic  yards,  at  18  cents  per  yard  - 
Embankment,  32,066  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  40  perches,  at  $7  *   - 
Bridge  across  Dillon's  creek     - 


Section  10/// > 

Excavation,  2,249  cubic  yards,  at  14  cents  per  yard    - 
Embankment,  13,795  cubic  yards,  at  28  cents  per  yard 
Embankment,  1,437  cubic  yards,  at  20  cents  per  yard 
Masonry,  30  perches,  at  $7     - 


$1,696  50 

1,791  60 

180  00 

100  00 

$3,768 

10 

$8,933  50 

4,547  40 

1,500  00 

326  00 

$15,356 

90 

$5;036  80 


$3,247  20 

6,413  20 

280  00 

2,410  00 

$12,350  40 

$314  86 

3,862  60 

287  40 

210  00 

$4,674  86 

[259] 


98 

SUMMARY. 


No.  of  section. 

Northern  route. 

Southern  route. 

Northern    route    through 
South  street. 

1 

$25,424  95 

$25,424  95 

$25,424  95 

2 

24,109  90 

24,109  90 

24,109  90 

3 

1,800  60 

1,800  60 

1.800  60 

4 

3,554  56 

2,236  80 

3,554  56 

5 

7,115  70 

9,212  72 

7,115  70 

6 

4,346  80 

3,768  10 

4,346  80 

7 

12,478  72 

15,356  90 

12,478  72 

8 

9,187  88 

5,036  80 

9,187  88 

9 

10.877  90 

12,350  40 

12,123  50 

10 

1,400  00 

4,674  86 

1,721  60 

$100,297  01 

$103,972  03 

$101,864  21 

ss 


State  of  Illinois, 

Morgan  county. 

Personally  appeared  before  me,  Samuel  S.  Brooks,  an  acting  justice  of 
the  peace  within  and  for  said  county  aforesaid,  William  Pollock,  assistant 
engineer,  in  the  service  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  on  the  Pekin  and  Blooming- 
ton  railroad,  who,  being  duly  sworn,  certifies,  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge 
and  belief,  the  foregoing  statements  and  facts  in  relation  to  the  survey  and 
location  of  that  portion  of  the  above  railroad  between  Pekin  and  TremonL, 
contained  in  his  report  to  the  principal  engineer  of  the  western  district,  J, 
M.  Bucklin,  are  true  and  correct. 

Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  this  4th  day  of  November,  A.  D.  1837. 

SAMUEL  S.  BROOKS,  J.  P.        [l.  s.] 


Engineer's  Office.  Jacksonville, 

October  27, 1837. 

Sir  :  I  herewith  submit  the  result  of  the  preliminary  survey  of  the  third 
division  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  together  with  a  location  of  that 
part  of  the  route  lying  between  the  town  of  Springfield  and  the  Sangamon 
river.  Pursuant  to  your  instructions  of  the  18th  of  August,  I  organized  a 
qorps  for  the  examination  and  survey  of  the  route  designated,  commencing 
at  Springfield  and  terminating  at  Decatur. 

On  the  29th  of  August,  I  commenced  running  a  base  line  from  the  centre 
of  the  east  corporation  line  of  the  town  of  Springfield,  in  the  direction  with 
the  road  leading  to  Dingman's  ferry,  to  Widow^Bilyon's,  and  from  thence 
down  a  ravine  to  Mud  lake,  and  touching  the  river  at  a  point  opposite 
Smith's  branch.  The  natural  descent  of  this  ravine  is  about  eighty  feet 
per  mile,  which  would  require  a  deep  excavation,  and  much  of  it  through 
rock,  to  get  a  line  of  the  maximum  grade. 
6 


99  [  259  ] 

I  next  run  a  line  from  station  number  114,  on  the  base  line,  by  the  way 
of  Widow  Cartwel's  down  a  ravine,  passing  the  head  of  Mud  lake,  and 
touching  the  river  at  the  point  opposite  Smith's  branch.  The  descent  of 
this  ravine  is  about  seventy-five  feet  per  mile,  and  would  also  require  a 
deep  excavation,  and  probably  much  of  it  rock,  to  get  a  line  of  the  maximum 
grade. 

Commencing  at  station  number  138,  where  the  last  line  touched  the  river 
bottom,  I  run  "up  a  valley  lying  nearly  parallel  with  the  river  bottom  in  a 
southwestern  direction,  crossed  the  road  leading  from  Springfield  to  Ding- 
man's  ferry,  diverged  into  a  smaller  valley,  and  running  south  of  Mr. 
Man's  house,  terminated  at  station  number  29,  on  the  level  with  the  prairie. 

1  found  that  a  grade  of  forty  feet  per  mile  could  be  had  on  this  line,  and, 
for  the  present,  I  concluded  a  further  examination  unnecessary,  as  the 
practicability  of  the  last  route  was  evident.  As  this  was  the  route  ulti- 
mately adopted,  in  pursuance  with  subsequent  instructions,  1  may  here  say 
that  its  survey  to  Springfield  was  completed  on  my  return  from  Decatur. 

Pursuing  the  examinations,  I  next  proceeded  across  the  Sangamon  river 
to  the  mouth  of  Smith's  branch,  and  following  the  valley  of  this  branch  to 
the  southeast  corner  of  section  number  10,  of  township  number  16, 1  found 
the  grade,  to  the  level  of  the  prairie,  not  to  exceed  twenty-seven  feet  per 
mile.  The  general  direction  of  the  valley  is  straight,  and  remarkably  well 
adapted  to  the  construction  of  a  railroad.  From  this  point,  I  continued 
the  line  due  east  to  the  valley  of  Stephenson's  creek,  four  miles  west  of 
Decatur.  This  line  is  on  the  north,  and  running  nearly  parallel  with  the 
Sangamon  river.  In  crossing  the  numerous  branches  which  empty  into 
the  river,  many  and  serious  objections  present  themselves,  the  most  consider- 
able of  which  were  encountered  in  crossing  Clear  creek  and  Long-point 
slough.  Others,  nearly  as  difficult,  were  met  with,  and  all  of  them  neces- 
sarily require  a  vast  amount  of  labor  and  expense  to  bring  the  line  to  the 
proper  grade.  It  appears  evident,  from  the  nature  and  character  of  the 
country  through  which  I  run,  that  the  line  was  too  near  the  Sangamon 
river.  This  river  drains  the  entire  prairie  on  the  north  ;  and  to  avoid  the 
numerous  heads  of  branches  and  creeks  it  was  thought  important  to  look 
for  another  and  better  route  farther  north.  This  course  was  rendered  dou- 
bly necessary  from  the  character  of  the  country  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Decatur.  From  the  valley  of  Stephenson's  creek,  on  this  line,  I  found  it 
altogether  impracticable  to  proceed  in  the  direction  of  Decatur.  The 
greater  part  of  the  distance  for  three  and  a  half  miles  is  a  succession  of 
valley  and  ridge,  requiring  deep  cutting  and  high  embankments,  and  an 
expense  which  would  not  be  justifiable  if  it  could  possibly  be  done.  An 
examination  of  several  days  in  this  neighborhood,  together  with  the  topo- 
graphy of  the  country  along  the  greater  part  of  the  line,  led  me  to  examine 
further  north  for  a  route  more  feasible  and  less  expensive.  At  the  point  of 
termination  on  the  line  run  from  the  east,  by  the  engineer  of  the  eastern 
district,  I  commenced  and  run  a  line  four  miles  north  to  Mr.  Montgomery's 
farm;  thence,  bearing  west,  I  crossed  Stephenson's  creek,  and  found  that 
it  could  be  crossed  easily  within  the  maximum  grade.  The  whole  of  this 
line,  from  Decatur  to  the  crossing  of  Stephenson's  creek,  is  good,  requiring 
no  very  considerable  excavations  or  embankments.  This  line  is  out  of  the 
true  direction,  but  is  the  only  one,  in  my  opinion,  practicable  between  this 
line  and  the  one  first  run.     It  may  be  thought  advisable  to  locate  the  Cen- 


[  259  ]  100 

tral  railroad  on  that  part  of  this  line  which  lies  between  Decatur  and  Mont- 
gomery's farm,  which  would  save  to  the  State  some  thousands  of  dollars. 

Pursuing  the  route  westerly,  from  Stephenson's  creek  to  my  former  point 
of  crossing-  the  Sangamon  river,  I  avoided  all  the  heads  of  branches 
except  Clear  creek,  which  so  much  embarrassed  my  operations  on  the 
first  line.  From  Stephenson's  creek  to  Clear  creek,  the  line  runs  through 
a  level  prairie,  requiring  little  excavation  or  embankment,  and  no  cul- 
verts or  bridges  worthy  of  notice.  The  crossing  of  Clear  creek  on  the 
last  line  is  much  better  than  on  the  first  line,  and  can,  in  all  probability, 
be  improved  still  more  by  taking  it  still  farther  north  near  its  head.  This 
last  line,  so  decidedly  preferable  to  the  first,  can  very  materially  be  improved, 
more  especially  in  the  first  eight  or  ten  miles  after  leaving  the  head  of  Smith's 
branch.  There  is  no  doubt  but  a  straight  line  of  near  twenty  miles  from  the 
head  of  Smith's  branch  can  be  obtained,  and  on  good  ground,  well  adapted 
to  the  construction  of  a  railroad. 

On  the  27th  of  September,  I  returned  to  Springfield,  and  on  the  5th  day  of 
October  received  instructions  to  make  some  preliminary  examinations,  and 
to  proceed  to  locate  the  route  from  Springfield  to  the  opposite  bank  of  the 
Sangamon  river.  In  pursuance  of  these  instructions,  I  examined  the  route 
by  the  way  of  Keye's  branch  and  Sugar  Creek  bottom,  to  the  Sangamon 
river,  and  crossed  it  at  the  mouth  of  Sugar  creek.  The  grade  of  this 
line  is  easy ;  but  owing  to  the  near  approach  of  the  Sugar  Creek  bluffs  to 
the  creek,  a  very  deep,  and  necessarily  expensive,  excavation  for  half  a  mile 
was  found  necessary. 

I  next  examined  the  Coal  Bank  route;  and  commencing  on  the  bank 
of  the  river,  I  followed  a  small  ravine  or  depression  in  the  direction 
of  Mr.  Ridgway's  farm,  and  terminated  on  the  base  line  at  station 
number  seventy-seven.  This  ravine  is  short,  and  the  ascent  of  the  natural 
surface  too  great  to  be  overcome  without  an  excavation  averaging  eighteen 
feet  for  nearly  three -fourths  of  a  mile.  This,  however,  was  preferable  to  the 
last  line,  as  the  excavation  was  much  less.  These  two  lines  terminated  on 
the  Sangamon  river,  near  two  miles  above  Smith's  branch.  I  did  not  ex- 
amine the  practicability  of  the  ascent  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  at  the 
points  opposite  the  last  two  lines  ;  for  I  had  already  found  easier  and  less 
expensive  approaches  to  the  river  on  the  south  side  in  my  former  examina- 
tions ;  and  I  could  not  reasonably  expect  to  find  on  the  opposite  side  any 
better  route  through  the  bluffs  than  I  had  already  found  by  the  way  of 
Smith's  branch.  Satisfied  that  no  route  could  be  found  combining  so  many 
advantages  as  the  one  from  the  point  opposite  Smith's  branch,  by  the  way 
of  Man's,  to  Springfield,  1  proceeded,  in  pursuance  with  instructions,  to  lo- 
cate on  that  line.  I  received  no  instructions  to  locate  the  place  of  depot  in 
the  town  of  Springfield;  and  as  it  is  yet  unlocated,  I  have  assumed  two 
routes  in  reference  to  the  difficult  points,  either  of  which  may  be  adopted, 
and  have  made  the  estimates  which  will  apply  to  either,  without  any  addi- 
tional field  work.  One  route  commences  at  the  south  end  of,  and  running 
through  Sixth  to  near  Madison  street;  thence  curving  slightly,  until  I  ob- 
tained a  proper  course  for  the  head  of  the  valley  selected  For  the  location, 
and  run  the  line  to  that  point.  This  line,  after  leaving  Sixth  street,  passes 
over  lots,  the  property  of  the  heirs  of  Mitchell  ;  thence  through  the  prairie 
to  Mr.  Reed's  farm,  passing  through  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile  north  of  the 
starch  factory  ;  thence  passing  through  Mr.  Lyon's  farm,  less  than  a  fourth 
of  a  mile  north  of  his  dwelling  house;  thence"  through  Mr.  King's  farm  to 


101  [  259  ] 

the  prairie,  passing  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  the  rear  of  his 
house  ;  thence  to  the  head  of  the  valley  selected  for  location.  1  next  start- 
ed a  line  from  the  south  end  of,  and  running  through  Tenth  street,  near  its 
entire  length  ;  thence  curving  until  the  course  requisite  to  strike  the  valley 
was  obtained.  From  the  termination  of  the  curves,  the  two  lines  approxi- 
mate and  intersect  each  other  at  the  head  of  the  valley.  For  a  more  par- 
ticular description  of  the  two  routes,  I  would  refer  you  to  the  maps  and 
profiles  herewith  submitted.  The  expense  of  construction  on  the  routes  is 
the  same.  The  distance  from  Springfield  to  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river 
is  divided  into  six  sections  of  a  mile  each,  and  one  of  three  thousand  five 
hundred  feet. 

The  estimated  cost,  including  grading,  culverts,  and  cross- ways,  for  each 


section,  is  as  follows  : 

Section  No.  1 

$864 

Section  No.  5 

$643  00 

"      "   2 

223 

«       "   6 

15.828  00 

"      "   3 

273 

a        u    7 

10,010  00 

»      «  4 

1,813 

The  greater  portion  of  section  number  seven,  lying  in  the  river  bottom, 
and  the  grade  line  is  supposed  to  be  three  feet  above  high  water  mark  ;  but 
as  it  may  vary,  the  estimated  expense  of  the  grading  may  also  vary  from 
the  above.  The  seventh  section  also  includes  the  proposed  bridge  across 
the  Sangamon  river  ;  the  width  of  the  river  from  bank  to  bank  is  two  hun- 
dred and  sixteen  feet ;  the  bed  of  the  river  is  twenty-one  feet  below  the 
grade  line.  On  the  north  side  appearances  indicate  a  foundation  of  rock, 
on  the  south  side  the  bank  is  clay  and  sand  ;  in  times  of  high  water  the 
river  rises  seventeen  feet,  and  spreads  over  the  whole  bottom.  The  ques- 
tion presents  itself,  whether  the  arch  of  the  bridge  at  such  times  will  vent 
the  whole  of  the  water,  and  whether  it  may  not  be  necessary  to  extend  the 
bridge  beyond  the  natural  channel  of  the  stream.  This  question  can  only 
be  settled  by  a  more  thorough  investigation  than  I  have  been  able  to  bestow. 
No  quarry  of  stone  is  as  yet  known  less  than  eight  miles  from  the  crossing 
of  the  river,  though  there  are  indications  of  the  existence  of  stone  in  abun- 
dance within  a  mile,  and  timber  is  abundant  in  the  immediate  neighborhood. 

The  route  from  Springfield  to  Decatur,  taken  as  a  whole,  is  remarkably 
well  adapted  to  the  construction  of  the  work  proposed.  That  part  of  it  lying 
between  Springfield  and  the  summit  level  of  the  prairie,  on  the  opposite  side 
oi  the  Sangamon  river,  is  far  better  than  could  have  been  expected  before 
the  examination ;  and  though  that  portion  of  the  route  which  has  been  per- 
manently located  is  the  only  practicable  one,  yet  it  will  be  seen  from  the  esti- 
mates that  its  cost  of  construction  will  probably  be  much  less  per  mile  than  sim- 
ilar works  in  other  States.  The  whole  work,  from  Springfield  to  Decatur, 
a  distance  of  forty- one  and  a  Jialf  miles,  can  undoubtedly  be  made  at  an 
expense  very  small  when  compared  with  the  cost  of  other  railroads  in  the 
United  States.  Its  location  on  or  near  the  northern  line,  which  has  been 
thought  decidedly  preferable  to  the  one  first  run  on  the  north  side  of  the 
Sangamon  river,  would  better  answer  the  general  interests,  though  it  might 
not  so  well  serve  individual  wishes  and  cupidity  as  the  line  first  run. 

In  conclusion;  I  take  great  pleasure  in  stating  that  my  exertions  to  advo- 


[  '259  ] 


102 


cate  the  public  interests  have  been  sustained  by  the  young  gentleman  con- 
nected with  my  corps,  in  a  manner  equally  honorable  and  satisfactory. 
All  of  which  I  would  respectfully  submit. 

F.  HAWN, 
Assistant  Engineer  of  the  Third  Division 

Of  the  Northern  Cross  Railroad. 
To  J.  M.  Pucklin. 


State  of  Illinois,  ) 
Morgan  county.  ) 
Personally  appeared  before  me,  Samuel  S.  Brooks,  an  acting  justice  of  the 
peace,  within  and  for  the  county  aforesaid,  Frederick  Hawn,  assistant  engi- 
neer in  the  service  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  on  the  Northern  Cross  railroad, 
who,  being  duly  sworn,  certifies,  that  to  the  best  of  his  knowledge  and  be- 
lief, the  foregoing  statements  and  facts  in  relation  to  the  survey  and  loca- 
tion of  the  third  division  of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  contained  in 
his  report  to  the  principal  engineer  of  the  western  district,   J.  M.  Bucklin, 


are  true  and  correct. 


SAMUEL  S.  BROOKS,  J.  P.        [l.  s.] 


EST1MA  TE  of  the  probable  cost  of  grading  that  part  of  the  3d  di- 
vision of  the  Northern  Cross  railroad,  located  from  Springfield  to  the 
east  bank  of  the  Sangamon  river,  Jacksonville,  October,  1837. 


No.  of 

Cubic 

Price 

Cubic 

Price 

Amount  for 

MASONRY. 

Total 

Total. 

feet. 

yards  of 
excava- 

per 
yard. 

yards  of 
embank- 

per 
cubic 

grubbing 
and  clearing. 

amount  for 
grading. 

tion. 

ment. 

yard. 

Perch, 

Price. 

Cents. 

Cents. 

Dollars. 

Dolls. 

Dollars. 

Dollars. 

1 

1,308 

20 

2,107 

21 

20 

8  00 

864  07 

7,203  40 

2 

331 

20 

750 

21 

. 

_ 

223  70 

6,563  03 

3 

66 

20 

1,240 

21 

_ 

. 

_ 

273  60 

6,612  93 

4 

2,124 

20 

4,912 

21 

50  00 

35 

8  75 

1,812  57 

8,151  90 

5 

2,781 

20 

414 

21 

_ 

_ 

643  14 

6,932  47 

6 

32,532 

24 

24,814 

26 

875  00 

75 

9  25 

15,828  07 

22,167  40 

7 

5,490 

24 

25,367 

35 

1,000  00 

- 

- 

10,010  21 

42,758  16 

Aggreg 

ate  am 

oimt 

29,655  36 

100,439  29 

ESTIMATE  of  the  probable  cost  of  the  super  structure  for 

Mud  sills,  10,560  lineal  feet,  at  7  cents  per  foot 
Cross  sills,  10,560  lineal  feet,  at  5  cents  per  foot 
Rails,  10,560  lineal  feet,  at  8  cents  per  foot 
Keys,  2,640  lineal  feet,  at  3  cents  per  foot 
Dressing  sills,  1.320,  at  12J  cents  per  piece 
Dressing  rails,  10,560  lineal  feet,  at  1  cent  per  foot 
Laying  down  track,  5,280  lineal  feet,  at  23  cents  per  foot 
22  tons  of  plates  or  iron,  at  $110  per  ton 


one  mile. 

$739  20 

528  00 

844  80 

79  20 

153  33 

105  60 

1,214  40 

2,420  00 

303  [259] 

980  lbs.  spikes,  at  16  cents  per  lb.        a  -            -  .  $156  80 

880  lap  plates,  at  10  cents  per  lb.  -             -  -  88  00 

Nails  for  plates              -             -             -                        -  -  10  00 


6,339  33 


ESTIMATE  of  the  probable  cost  of  the  proposed  bridge   across  the 
Sangamon  river,  on  section  No.  7. ' 

Foundation ,   $3,000  00 

928  perches  of  masonry,  estimated  thus  : 

Value  of  stone,  $0  50  per  perch. 

Quarrying,  1  50     do. 

Cutting,  4  00     do. 

Laying,  1  00     do. 

Hauling  8  miles  6  00     do. 

Value  of  one  perch,         13  00  -  -  -    12  064  00 

Wood  work,  300  lineal  feet,  at  $45  per  foot  -  „    13'5qo  00 

Total  amount  *  ,  ~~28^564~00 

Summary  estimate. 

For  grading  6.66  miles  -  g29  Q55  qk 

For  grading  6.66  miles  superstructure,  at  $6,339  33    -  1    42  219  93 

For  bridge  across  Sangamon  river,  at  section  7  •  ■  .    28'564  00 

Add  10  per  cent,  for  superintendence  -  10  043  Q5> 

Total        *  :  *'■'■-  f  t  110,483:21 


Belleville,  Illinois, 

August  11,  1837. 

Sir  !  Whereas  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Illinois  at  its  se<? 
Sion  held  in  the  yeafs  1836  and  1837,  passed  an  act  to  establish  and  main 
tain  a  general  system  of  internal  improvements :  and  whereas  a  board    f 
commissioners  of  public  works  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  was  organized  i 
pursuance  of  the  provisions  of  said  act  on  the  fourth  day  of  April  1   «J 
passed  ;  and  it  being  the  determination  of  the  board  thus  organized  to 
every  exertion  to  carry  into  effect  the  provisions  of  said  act,  according 
the  intent  and  meaning  thereof;  and  whereas,  the  people  of 'the  State  f    I 
a  deep  interest  in  the  earliest  possible  commencement  and  completion  nf 
the  whole  or  at  least  the  most  prominent  works  provided  for  in  said     t  • 
therefore,  with  the  view  of  providing  a  source  from  which  a  portion  of'thl 
necessary  aid  may  be  derived, 


[  259  ]  104 

Be  it  resolved,  That  our  Representatives  in  Congress  be  respectfully  re- 
quested to  use  their  most  diligent  efforts  to  procure  the  passage  of  a  law 
through  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  making  a  donation  of  each 
alternate  section  on  each  side  of  the  most  important  works  contemplated  by 
the  act  aforesaid,  or  in  the  failure  of  this,  to  urge  the  adoption  of  some 
other  measure  which  will  contribute  to  the  aid  of  the  State  in  her  great 
undertaking. 

Resolved,  That  the  president  of  this  board  be  requested  to  furnish  the 
Speakers  of  both  Houses  of  Congress  and  each  of  our  Representatives  of  that 
body  with  a  copy  of  these  proceedings. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  KINNEY, 
President  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works, 

State  of  Illinois, 
To  the  Hon.  A.  W.  Snyder. 


Belleville,  Illinois, 

September  25,  1837. 

Sir  :  As  you  are  aware  that  Illinois  did,  at  her  last  regular  session,  es- 
tablish one  of  the  most  grand  and  splendid  schemes  of  internal  improve- 
ment ever  adopted  by  any  State  or  country,  and  which  is  as  well  situated 
to  her  locality,  agricultural  advantages,  and  commercial  necessities,  perhaps, 
as  such  a  system  ever  was  or  will  be  to  any  country,  I  would,  therefore,  beg 
leave  to  suggest  the  propriety  of  the  members  in  Congress  from  this  State, 
to  ask  aid  from  the  General  Government,  by  a  donation  of  land  of  each 
alternate  section  on  each  side  of  all  the  projected  improvements  aforesaid  ; 
not  only  for  the  benefit  of  the  State,  but  to  facilitate  the  sale  and  improve- 
ment of  the  Government  lands  lying  in  the  vicinity  of  said  projected 
internal  improvements,  both  rivers  and  railroads  ;  and  particularly  to  aid 
in  the  completion  of  the  great  Central  railroad,  commencing  at  the  mouth 
of  the  Ohio,  and  connecting  with  the  Michigan  and  Illinois  canal.  Such  a 
donation  would  be  carrying  out  to  perfection  the  same  principles  of  na- 
tional policy  that  actuated  the  Government  to  grant  certain  lands  to  aid  in 
the  construction  of  the  abovenamed  canal ;  as  the  said  railroad  con- 
nected with  said  canal,  will  open  a  grand  chain  of  intercourse  in  a  com- 
mercial, agricultural,  and  military  point  of  view  with  the  northern,  south- 
ern, eastern,  and  western  States,  to  such  an  improvement  as  that,  the  utility 
of  which  needs  no  comment.  Certainly  no  member  of  Congress  could 
object,  or  refuse  the  aid  of  the  General  Government  in  facilitating  the  same. 

It  is  useless  for  me  to  say  to  you,  that  Illinois  is  naturally  destined  to  be 
the  garden  spot  of  the  world,  as  it  respects  agricultural  pursuits.  Her  soil 
is  alluvial  and  groaning  to  be  relieved  by  the  hand  of  the  industrious  agri- 
culturist of  the  immense  wealth  which  it  contains  ;  and  that  she  is  a  rail- 
way by  nature,  at  least  so  far  finished  as  would  be  a  new  wagon-wheel 
lacking  only  the  tire,  compared  with  other  countries,  where  railroads  have 
been,  and  are  yet  intended  to  be,  successfully  and  usefully  constructed.  What, 
therefore,  would  it  be  for  the  General  Government  to  give  aid  to  such  a 
system  of  internal  improvements  as  Illinois  has  adopted,  so  suited  to  her 
locality  in  every  point  of  view,  and  which,  if  successfully  carried  out,  will 
place  the  whole  system  of  our  agricultural  and  commercial  intercourse  in  an 
attitude  enviable  and  inviting  to  the  enterprising  agriculturist  and  carriers  of 


I 


105  [  259  J 

liii  parts  of  the  world.  It  therefore  seems  to  me  that  all  that  is  wanting  to 
obtain  aid  to  accomplish  such  a  desirable  object,  both  for  the  nation  and  this 
State,  is  to  make  an  effort;  and  a  moment's  reflection  by  that  most  honorable 
of  all  national  councils,  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States,  will  satisfy  them  of  the  propriety  of  carrying  the  projected 
improvements,  particularly  that  of  the  Central  railroad  into  complete  opera- 
tion ;  the  accomplishment  of  which  will  make  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio 
and  Mississippi  accessible  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  ice  or  no  ice  ;  high  or 
low  water  ;  from  which  the  whole  products  of  this  State  for  exportation, 
can  and  will  be  thrown  off,  and  scattered  to  the  four  winds  of  the  world ; 
without  having,  as  has  been  frequently  the  case,  to  wait  for  the  spring  sea- 
son, and  then  come  in  competition  with  other  countries  at  the  city  of  New 
Orleans,  who  have  been  prevented  in  the  transportation  of  their  exports, 
either  for  the  want  of  water  or  retarded  by  ice. 

Your  early  attention  to  this  subject  will  be  well  received  by  the  board  of 
public  works,  who  have  heretofore  addressed  you  on  this  subject,  and  no 
doubt  by  the  whole  community  which  you  represent,  and  particularly  by 
your  correspondent  and  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  KINNEY, 
President  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works, 

State  of  Illinois. 

Hon,  A,   W.  Snyder. 


Public  improvements  contemplated  in  Illinois, 

1.  The  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal. 

2.  The  navigation  of  Rock  river. 

3.  The  navigation  of  the  Illinois  river, 

4.  The  navigation  of  the  Kaskaskia  river. 

5.  The  navigation  of  the  Great  Wabash  river. 

6.  The  navigation  of  the  Little  Wabash  river. 

7.  The  improvement  of  the  great  Western  mail  road  from  Vincennes 
to  St.  Louis. 

8.  The  Central  railroad,  from  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  river  to  the  termina- 
tion of  the  Illinois  and  Michigan  canal  at  K  Lasalle,"  and  from  thence  to 
Galena. 

9.  The  Southern  Cross  railroad,  from  Alton  to  Mount  Carmel. 

10.  The  railroad  from  Alton  to  Shawneetown. 

11.  The  Northern  Cross  railroad,  from  Q,uincy  to  the  Indiana  State  line, 
in  the  direction  of  Lafayette. 

12.  Branch  of  the  Central  railroad,  from  a  point  near  Shelbyviile  to  the 
Indiana  State  line,  in  the  direction  of  Terre  Haute. 

13.  The  railroad  from  Peoria  to  Warsaw. 

14.  The  railroad  from  Lower  Alton,  by  Hillsboro',  to  the  Central  rail- 
road, so  as  to  intersect  the  railroad  from  Terre  Haute  at  that  point. 

15.  The  railroad  from  Belleville  to  intersect  the  railroad  from  Alton 
to  Mount  Carmel,  at  the  nearest  eligible  point  on  said  road. 

16.  The  railroad  from  Bloomington  to  Mackinaw,  where  it  is  to  branch ; 
one  branch  to  terminate  at  Peoria,  and  the  other  at  Pekin. 

17.  The  sum  of  $200,000  to  be  expended  in  the  improvement  of  roads, 
the  construction  of  bridges,  and  other  public  works,  in  those  counties 
through  which  no  railroad  or  canal  is  provided  to  be  made  at  the  expense 
of  the  State. 

8 


L