United States Statutes at Large/Volume 4/20th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 15
Chap. XV.—An Act authorizing the laying off a town on Bean river, in the state of Illinois, and for other purposes.
Town to be laid off at Galena, in Illinois.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That a tract of land in the state of Illinois, at and including “Galena,” on Bean river, shall, under the direction of the surveyor of the public lands for the states of Illinois and Missouri, and the territory of Arkansas, be laid off into town lots, streets, and avenues, and into out-lots, having regard to the lots and streets already surveyed, in such manner, and of such dimensions, as he may think proper:Size of town and of lots.
Lots to be offered to highest bidder. Provided, The tract so to be laid off shall not exceed the quantity contained in one entire section, nor the town lots one quarter of an acre each, nor shall the out-lots exceed the quantity of two acres each. When the survey of the lots shall be completed, a plat thereof shall be returned to the Secretary of the Treasury, and within twelve months thereafter the lots shall be offered to the highest bidder at public sale, under the direction of the President of the United States, and at such other times as he shall think proper:Minimum price.
Reservation along margin of river. Provided, That no town lot shall be sold for a sum less than five dollars; and provided further, That a quantity of ground of proper width on the said river, and running therewith the whole length of the said town, shall be reserved from sale for public use, and remain forever a common highway.
Lots to be classed.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the said surveyor to class the lots already surveyed, in the said town of Galena, into three classes, according to the relative value thereof, on account of situation and eligibility for business, without regard, however, to the improvements made thereon;Right of pre-emption. and previous to the sale of the said lots as aforesaid, each and every person, or his, her, or their legal representative or representatives, who shall heretofore have obtained from the agent of the United States a permit to occupy any lot or lots in the said town of Galena, or who shall have actually occupied and improved any lot or lots in the said town, or within the tract of land hereby authorized to be laid off into lots, shall be permitted to purchase such lot or lots, by paying therefor, in cash, if the same fall within the first class, as aforesaid, at the rate of twenty-five dollars per acre; if within the second class, at the rate of fifteen dollars per acre; and if within the third class, at the rate of ten dollars per acre: Provided, That no one of the persons aforesaid shall be permitted to purchase by authority of this section more than one half acre of ground; unless a larger quantity shall be necessary to embrace permanent improvements already made.
Approved, February 5, 1829.