more than twice that number; and we feel assured that in any further call for aid the government will not find the people of Illinois hesitating or complaining, unless they may complain as they have already done, that many of them are left behind.

7. Resolved, That we hereby instruct our Senators and recommend our Representatives in Congress to lend their support to the administration by voting supplies of men as well as money for the most active prosecution of the existing war to a speedy and successful termination.

8. Resolved, That to evince the gratitude and good feeling of the country to the soldiers in the army engaged in the Mexican war, and to those hereafter entering the military service of the government, a bounty in land of one hundred and sixty acres should be granted by the general government to each soldier as aforesaid; said land to be selected out of any of the public lands subject to private entry.

9. Resolved, That three hundred and twenty acres of land should be granted by the General Government to the representatives of cach soldier dying in the service or being killed in battle."

10. Resolved, That the members in Congress from the State of Illinois be respectfully requested to use their best exertions to carry into effect the above resolutions, and that the Governor furnish to each member in Congress from the State of Illinois a copy of said resolutions.

11. Resolved, That the thanks of the nation are due to Gen. Z. Taylor, the commander of the army of the Rio Grande, and all the officers and men under his command, for the gallantry and skill in the conduct of the war in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and at the seige of Monterey.

12. Resolved, That we appreciate the patriotism and gallantry of the brave volunteers from this State who are now in service in said war, and their faithful and unflinching performance of duty under the most discouraging circumstances.

The Speaker laid before the Senate a communication from Thompson Campbell, Secretary of State, relative to the votes given for and against a Convention to amend the Constitution, at the last August election. Mr. Cavarly moved that the communication be laid on the table, and printed for the use of the General Assembly.

Mr. Killpatrick called for a division of the question.

The question being first taken on laying the communication on the table, it was decided in the negative.

The question then being taken uron the motion of Mr. Cavarly, that the communication be laid on the table and printed, it was decided in the affirmative.

On motion of Mr. Killpatrick,

The resolution of the House of Representatives, giving to the Secreta ry of State, as Superintendent of Common Schools, until the second Monday in January next, to make his report to the Governor, was taken up, read and concurred in.

Ordered, That the Secretary inform the House of Representatives thereof.

Pursuant to the special order of yesterday, the report of the select committee appointed to investigate the right of Peter Sweat and Lincoln B.

Knowlton to a seat in the Senate, from the counties of Peoria, Stark and Bureau, with the resolution and the report of the minority of the same committee, were taken up, again read, and considered.

On motion,

The Senate adjourned until 2 o'clock, P. M.

Two O'CLOCK, P. M.

The question pending at the adjournment was upon the adoption of the resolution accompanying the report of the select committee, in relation to the occupancy of the seat in the Senate by Peter Sweat.

Mr. Constable moved to amend the resolution, by striking out the word "Resolved," and adding,

"That, from the returns of the election, deposited in the office of the Secretary of State, from the counties of Peoria, Stark and Bureau, as well as from the certificates of the Clerks of the County Commissioners' Courts of the said counties, in relation to such election, held in the month of August last, it appears that Lincoln B. Knowlton received the number of one thousand three hundred and eighty-one votes for Senator, from the Senatorial district composed of the said counties; and, also, that Peter Sweat had the number of one thousand three hundred and eighty-one votes for the same office; and that there being no other candidates for the said office, there was a tie between the aformentioned candidates for said office.

Resolved, further, That the committee on elections, so soon as the same may be raised, be instructed to report a bill for a special election, to be held in the said counties, to fill the vacancy of the office of Senator from the said Senatorial district, occasioned by the expiration of the term of office of the Hon. William W. Thompson."

The question then being taken on the amendment, it was decided in the negative, by yeas and nays, as follows:

Those who voted in the affirmative, are,

Messrs. Boal, Constable, Davis of Hancock, Denny, Edwards, Gillespie, Hanson, Henry, Killpatrick, Miller, Noble, Powers and Webb-13. Those who voted in the negative, are,

Messrs. Allen, Brown, Catlin, Cavarly, Dennis, Dougherty, Dunlap, Judd, Leviston, McMillan, McRoberts, Markley, Matteson, Morrison, Reddick, Sanger, Smith, Stephenson, Sutphin, Warren and Wilcox-21.

The question being then taken on the adoption of the resolution of the select committee, it was decided in the affirmative, by yeas and nays, as follows:

Those voting in the affirmative, are,

Messrs. Allen, Brown, Cavarly, Dennis, Dougherty, Dunlap, Judd, Leviston, McMillan, McRoberts, Markley, Matteson, Morrison, Reddick, Sanger, Smith, Stephenson, Sutphin, Warren and Wilcox-20.

Those voting in the negative, are,

Messrs. Boal, Catlin, Constable, Davis of Hancock, Denny, Edwards, Gillespie, Hanson, Henry, Killpatrick, Miller, Noble, Powers and Webb -13.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1846.

Senate met, pursuant to adjournment.

Prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Springer.

PETER SWEAT, declared by the Senate, on yesterday, to be entitled to a seat in the same, from the district composed of the counties of Peoria, Stark and Bureau, appeared, was sworn into office, as Senator from said district, by Hon. S. H. Treat, and accordingly took his seat.

The Speaker laid before the Senate the biennial report of the Auditor of Public Accounts.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. McDonald,

their Clerk:

Mr. Speaker: I am directed to inform the Senate, that the House of Representatives have adopted the following preamble and resolutions, in the adoption of which they ask the concurrence of the Senate:

WHEREAS, We, as Americans, ever feel proud of the gallantry and bravery of our citizens, whenever and wherever they have appeared in the field of battle, contesting for our country, and whereas, we feel especially proud of the bravery and gallantry exhibited at the taking of the city of Monterey, in seeing among those who distinguished themselves as officers, brave, gallant. and scientific, the names of Lieutenants John Pope and Mason Scarritt, both graduates of West Point, and natives of our own beloved State; therefore be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, That the thanks of the citizens of this State are due unto Lieutenants John Pope, and Mason Scarritt,, for their bravery and gallantry exhibited in the battles of the 21st, 22, 23d, and 24th of September last at the city of Monterey.

Resolved, That the brave and noble conduct of Lieutenants John Pope and Mason Scarritt, in the battles af Monterey, gives us fully the power to assure our fellow citizens of Illinois, that her sons who left their homes to fight the battles of their country, will well sustain the character of their native and adopted State.

On motion of Mr. Judd,

The reading of said report of the Auditor was dispensed with, the same laid on the table, and five hundred more than the usual number of copies thereof ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

The Speaker laid before the Senate the biennial report of the State Treasurer.

On motion of Mr. Warren,

The reading of said report was dispensed with, the same was laid on the table, and five hundred more than the usual number of copies thereof ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate.

The Speaker also laid before the Senate a communication from Thompson Campbell, Secretary of State, relating to the census of 1845.

Mr. Cavarly moved that the communication be laid upon the table, and that five hundred copies thereof be ordered to be printed, for the use of the Senate.

Mr. Webb called for a division of the question.

The question being first taken on laying the communication on the table, it was decided in the negative.

The question being then taken on the motion to lay on the table and print five hundred copies, for the use of the Senate, it was decided in the affirmative, by yeas and nays, as follows:

Those voting in the affirmative, are,

Messrs. Allen, Allison, Brown, Catlin, Cavarly, Davis of Hancock, Dougherty, Dunlap, Gillespie, Hanson, Judd, Killpatrick, Leviston, McMillan, McRoberts, Markley, Matteson, Miller, Morrison, Noble, Reddick, Sanger, Smith, Stephenson, Sutphin, Sweat, Warren and Wilcox-28. Those voting in the negative, are,

Messrs. Boal, Constable, Davis of Massac, Denny, Edwards, Henry and Webb-7.

Mr. Noble offered for adoption the following preamble and resolution, which, under the rule, lies one day on the table:

WHEREAS, in the case of the contested election from the Peoria Senatorial district, between L. B. Knowlton and Peter Sweat, Esq'rs, the matter is open for further investigation: And whereas, a mistake of ten votes was made against one of said parties, in counting the votes in Lagrange precinct, in Peoria county: And whereas, if such mistake actually occurred, and the said votes should be counted, there would be a tie vote between the said Knowlton and Sweat: And whereas, it appears from the admission of the contesting parties themselves, and upon the face of the certificates before the Senate, there would be a tie between the two candidates: Now, in order that justice and right may be done between the said parties, as well as to the people of said Senatorial district,

Be it resolved, That a select committee of nine, one from each judicial circuit, be appointed, with power to send for persons and papers, whose duty it shall be to inquire into the actual state of the polls in said district, and ascertain whether or not, after counting all the votes given for either of said candidates, there is an actual election by the people of any Sena tor, or whether or not it is a tie vote between said candidates.

Mr. Noble moved the suspension of the rule; and the question being taken thereon, it was decided in the negative.

Mr. Constable moved the adoption of the following resolutions, which, under the rule, lie one day on the table.

Be it resolved by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That the communication between the Gulf of Mexico and that portion of the United States watered by the Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, and their tributaries, is of indispensable importance, not only to the citizens of that country, but also to the United States at large, as affecting the defence of the country in time of war, and the general commerce conducted thereon.

Resolved, further, That the improvement and preservation of the navigation of these great rivers, are objects as strictly national as any intended to increase and strengthen the defences of the country, as well against foreign invasion as against the dangers of domestic insurrection; that such improvements are deemed impracticable by State or individual enterprize, and therefore imperatively demand the intervention of the General Gov

erument.

Resolved, further, That the Ohio, Wabash and Illinois rivers, are more important, in a military point of view, as they constitute great National

thoroughfares between the Lakes and the waters of the Mississippi, besides being of immense commercial importance to the citizens of many States in the entire Union.

Resolved, further, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives requested, to use their best endeavors, with every proper effort, to carry into effect the preceding resolutions, and especially to obtain an appropriation, during the present session of that body, of public land or money, for the purpose of improving the navigation of those

rivers.

Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor be requested to transmit a a copy of the foregoing resolutions to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress.

Mr Kilpatrick offered for adoption the following resolution, which, under the rule, lies one day on the table:

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to examine the Governor's house, in the city of Springfield, and ascertain what repairs are necessary, in order to the comfort and convenience of the Governor's family; and that they call to their assistance some competent mechanic, to estimate the expense of such necessary repairs; and report to the Sen

ate.

Mr. Boal offered for adoption the following resolution, which, under the rule, lies one day on the table:

Resolved, That his Excellency Ex-Governor Ford be requested to communicate to the Senate all the information in his possession, touching the recent difficulties in Hancock county.

On motion of Mr. Judd,

The rule was dispensed with, and the resolution taken up, read and adopted.

Mr. Davis of Hancock, on leave, introduced a bill for "An act extending the limits of the fifth judicial circuit;" which was read, and Ordered to a second reading.

Mr. Constable, on leave, introduced a bill for "An act to incorporate the Wabash Navigation Company;" which, on his motion, was read by its title, and

Ordered to a second reading.

Mr. Judd, on leave, introduced a bill for "An act to pay the balances due canal contractors;" which was read, and

Ordered to a second reading.

Mr. McRoberts, on leave, introduced a bill for "An act to amerd ‘An act relative to wills," approved March 3, 1845, and to extend the jurisdiction of Probate Courts;" which was read, and

Ordered to a second reading.

The bill for "An act to repeal the fifteenth chapter of the Revised Statues," coming up for consideration, and the question pending in relation thereto being upon a motion to lay it on the table, that question being put, it was decided in the affirmative.

Senate bills, entitled

"An act to a mend an act concerning wills," and

"An act to amend an act relative to practice in the Circuit Courts," Were severally read a second time, (the first by its title,) and,