Chapter XIV. to authorize the state of Illinois to open a canal through the public lands, to connect the Illinois river with Lake Michigan
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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. March 30, 1822. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled*, That the state of IllinoisAct of March 2, 1827, ch. 51.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. 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 nothingProviso; no obligation on the part of the United States to appropriate money, &c. 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 UnitedProviso; canal always a public highway, free of toll to States, free from any toll or other charge whatever, for any property of660SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS.
Sess. I. Ch. 15. 1822. the United States.the United States, or persons in their service, passing through the same. Sec. 2. *And be it further enacted*, Sections through which the canal passes reserved until, &c.The state may use necessary adjacent materials without waste.That every section of land through which said canal route may pass, shall be, and the same is hereby, reserved from future sale, until hereafter specially directed by law: and the said slate is hereby authorized and permitted, without waste, to use any materials on the public lands adjacent to said canal, that may be necessary for its construction.
Approved, March 30, 1822.