courts of the said territory; and they shall, until the legislature thereof shall otherwise direct, be selected in such manner as the judges of the said courts shall respectively prescribe, so as to be most conducive to an impartial trial, and to be least burthensome to the inhabitants of the said territory.
Importation of slaves prohibited.
Under a penalty of 300 dollars from each person, for every slave.Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, That it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to import or bring into the said territory, from any port or place without the limits of the United States, or cause or procure to be so imported or brought, or knowingly to aid or assist in so importing or bringing, any slave or slaves. And every person so offending, and being thereof convicted before any court within the said territory, having competent jurisdiction, shall forfeit and pay, for each and every slave so imported or brought, the sum of three hundred dollars, one moiety whereof for the use of the United States, and the other moiety for the use of the person or persons who shall sue for the same; and every slave so imported or brought shall thereupon become entitled to, and receive, his or her freedom.
Present territorial laws in force till altered.Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That the laws in force in the said territory, at the commencement of this act, and not inconsistent with the provisions thereof, shall continue in force until altered, modified, or repealed, by the legislature.
Citizens of the territory entitled to the delegate, &c.
The persons by whom, and the times at which, &c., the delegate may be elected.Sec. 14. And be it further enacted, That the citizens of the said territory shall be entitled to one delegate to Congress, for the said territory, who shall possess the same powers heretofore granted to the delegates from the several territories of the United States. The said delegate shall be elected by such description of persons, at such times, and under such regulations, as the governor and legislative council may, from time to time, ordain and direct.
Approved, March 15, 1822.
Statute Ⅰ.
Chap. XIV.—An Act to authorize the state of Illinois to open a canal through the public lands, to connect the Illinois river with Lake Michigan.
Illinois authorized to survey and mark through public lands, the route of a canal, connecting Illinois river with the southern bend of Lake Michigan, and 90 feet on each side reserved and vested in the state for a canal on condition, &c.
Proviso; no obligation on the part of the United States to appropriate money, &c.
Proviso; canal always a public highway, free of toll to the United States.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the state of Illinois be, and is hereby, authorized to survey and mark, through the public lands of the United States, the route of the canal connecting the Illinois river with the southern bend of Lake Michigan; and ninety feet of land on each side of said canal shall be for ever reserved from any sale to be made by the United States, except in the cases hereinafter provided for, and the use thereof for ever shall be, and the same is hereby, vested in the said state for a canal, and for no other purpose whatever; on condition, however, that if the said state does not survey and direct by law said canal to be opened, and return a complete map thereof to the Treasury Department, within three years from and after the passing of this act; or if the said canal be not completed, suitable for navigation, within twelve years thereafter; or if said ground shall ever cease to be occupied by, and used for, a canal, suitable for navigation; the reservation and grant hereby made shall be void and of none effect: Provided always, and it is hereby enacted and declared, That nothing in this act contained, or that shall be done in pursuance thereof, shall be deemed or construed to imply any obligation on the part of the United States to appropriate any money to defray the expenses of surveying or opening said canal: Provided also, and it is hereby further enacted and declared, That the said canal, when completed, shall be, and for ever remain, a public highway for the use of the government of the United States, free from any toll or other charge whatever, for any property of
