Memorial to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, circa 16 December 1843–12 February 1844
Source Note
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , JS, , and , Memorial, , Hancock Co., IL, to the United States Senate and House of Representatives, , 21 Dec. 1843; handwriting of ; signatures of memorialists; dockets in handwriting of and unidentified scribe; seventeen pages; Record Group 46, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington DC.
Section 2. Whenever any tract of land, adjoining the “City of ,” shall have been laid out into town lots, and duly recorded according to law, the same shall form a part of the “City of .”
Section 3. The inhabitants of said , by the name and style aforesaid, shall have power to sue, and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in all Courts of law and equity, and in all actions whatsoever: to purchase, receive, and hold <real> property beyond the for burying grounds, or for other public purposes, for the use of the Inhabitants of said ; to sell, lease, convey, or dispose of property, real and personal, for the benefit of the , to improve and protect such property, and to do all other things in relation thereto as natural persons.
Section 4. There shall be a City Council to consist of a Mayor, four Aldermen, and nine Counsellors, who shall have the qualifications of electors of said , and shall be chosen by the qualified voters thereof, and shall hold their offices for two years, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified. The City Council shall judge of the qualifications, elections, and returns of their own members, and a majority of them shall form a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members, under such penalties as may be prescribed by ordinance.
Section 5. The Mayor, Aldermen, and Counsellors, before entering upon the duties of their offices, shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation that they will support the Constitution of the , and of this , and that they will well and truly perform the duties of their offices to the best of their skill and abilities.
Section 6. On the first monday of February next, and every two years thereafter, an election shall be held for the election of one Mayor, four Aldermen and nine Counsellors, and at the first election under this act, three judges shall be chosen viva voce by the electors present; the said Judges shall choose two Clerks, and the judges and clerks before entering upon their duties shall take and subscribe an oath or affirmation, such as is now required by law to be taken by judges and clerks of other elections; and at all subsequent elections, the— [p. [9]]