Ford took much of this language describing the powers of an incorporated town from the Illinois statute regarding corporations. (See Corporations [3 Mar. 1845], Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois [1844–1845], p. 112, sec. 5.)
Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois, Adopted by the General Assembly of Said State, at Its Regular Session, Held in the Years, A. D., 1844–’5. Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1845.