[ No. 7. ] JOINT RESOLUTIONS asking an additional donation of the public lands to the Michigan University Fund. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That our Senators be instructed and our Representatives in Congress be requested to use their exertions to procure the passage of an act by Congress, granting to the University of Michigan three townships of land in the State of Michigan, to be and remain a perpetual fund of that institution; the same to be selected by an agent appointed by the Governor, or in such manner as Congress may direct. Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress a copy of the foregoing resolutions. Approved January 21, 1853. [ No. 8. ] JOINT RESOLUTION relative to a grant of lands to aid in constructing a rail road to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Whereas, Congress, by grant of lands to several States to aid in constructing certain railroads, has established the precedent of making such grants for roads national in their character; And whereas, There exists upon the south shore of Lake Superior numerous and rich mines of iron and copper, now sought to be worked by citizens of many States; And whereas, It is at present impossible for those inhabiting the mining country to export the products of their labor, or to receive supplies during seven months, in every year; And whereas, The growing wants of that country, and the various commercial interests which exist between it and other portions of the State and other States, require permanent and reliable means of intercourse; And whereas, Such object, national in its character, would be attained by the construction of a rail road running mainly through gov ernment lands, bringing them into market and aiding their sale, settlement and improvement; therefore, Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That our Senators and Representatives in Congress be requested to urge the passage of a law by Congress granting lands to aid in the construction of a rail road from Pontiac, the present terminus of the Detroit and Pontiac rail road, to the shore of Lake Michigan, in the county of Mason, in the State of Michigan, and from the opposite shore at or near Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to Ontonagon river, on Lake Superior, with a branch to Kewawanaw Point, and also a branch to the vicinity of Iron Bay. Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward copies of the foregoing preamble and resolution to the Senators and Representatives in Congress from this State. Approved January 24, 1853. [ No. 9. ] JOINT RESOLUTION relative to the claim of the State against A. St. Amand, late Treasurer of Genesee County. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representalives of the State of Michigan, That the Auditor General be and he is hereby authorized and required to receive propositions for the settlement and adjustment of the claim of the State against Augustus St. Amand, late treasurer of Genesee county, and the suit now pending against him, and to settle and adjust the same, if practicable, on such terms and in such manner as to him shall seem most advisable; and that he be authorized, in adjusting the same, to make all necessary contracts or agreements in regard to incumbrances on the property attached in said suit, for the removal of the same by relinquishing a portion of the property attached or otherwise, and to take and receive said property, or other property, in the settlement or adjustment of said claim, on such terms and at such prices as shall seem reasonable after due investigation: Provided, said claim shall not be settled for a sum less than the amount due, after deducting necessary expenses and costs of suit and collection, unless in the opinion of the Auditor General it would be for the interest of the State so to do; and unless the property attached is found to be of not sufficient value, over and above the incumbrances, to liquidate the same. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately. [ No. 10. ] JOINT RESOLUTION requiring the trustees of the Michigan Central College, at Spring Arbor, to report, as required by the fifth section of the act of incorporation. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives, That the trustees of the Michigan Central College, at Spring Arbor, be required to report to this Legislature during its present session, its financial condition, in accordance with section five of an act of incorporation of said College, and that the Secretary of State immediately transmit a copy of this resolution to said trustees. Approved January 27, 1853. [ No. 11. ] JOINT RESOLUTION relative to the Tecumseh and Ypsilanti Rail Road Company. Resclved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That the Board of State Auditors be and they are hereby authorized and required, to make examination of the matters of difference between the Ypsilanti and Tecumseh Rail Road Company and the State, as also of the claims of relief of the several persons who became sureties for said company, for the loan made of the State; and upon such examination the said board shall grant such relief as they or a majority of them shall deem just and equitable: Provided, They shall not be authorized to make any allowance of money to be paid out of the treasury. Resolved, That said Board of Auditors, in case they shall deem it just and equitable to release any securities given to the State on account of said loan, shall, under their hand and seal, grant a certificate of such release, which shall be entitled to be placed on record in any register's office where said securities may be recorded: Pro vided, That this resolution, or any action under it, shall in no case be construed as in any wise recognizing any right of said company, or any parties claiming under it, to construct, own stock, or run any rail road, by virtue of any chartered rights heretofore granted. Approved January 29, 1853. [ No. 12. ] JOINT RESOLUTIONS relative to the Public Domain. Resolved by the Senate of the State of Michigan, the House of Representatives concurring herein, That our Senators and our Representatives in Congress be requested to use their influence to procure the passage of a law securing the title to every landless head of a family, free of charge, one hundred and sixty acres of land from our public domain, who shall settle and cultivate the same for five years. Resolved, That the Governor be respectfully requested to transmit a copy of this resolution to our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Approved January 29, 1853. [ No. 13. ] CONCURRENT RESOLUTION relative to Stannard's Rock, in Lake Superior. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That in view of the imminent danger to the safety of navigation of Lake Superior, in consequence of Stannard's Rock (so called) being situated in or near the sailing route between the southeast end of Kewawanaw Point and the harbor of Grand Island, and the river St. Mary's, many miles from land; that our Senators and Representatives in Congress be requested to take the most prompt and efficient measures practicable to procure a survey of the positions and dimensions of said rock, and such other means as shall secure the safety of navigation in its vicinity. Approved January 29, 1853. [ No. 14. ] JOINT RESOLUTION relative to the distribution of the Session Laws, Journals and Documents of the Legislature, for the year eighteen hundred and fifty-three. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That the members and officers of the present Legislature be and they are hereby entitled to one copy of the Session Laws passed in the year eighteen hundred and fifty-three; also the Journals and Documents of the Legislature of said year; and the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and required to forward one copy of each to the several members and officers of this Legislature, by forwarding the same to the county clerk of the several counties of this State in which the members or officers reside, so soon as the same may be printed, bound, and ready for delivery. Approved January 31, 1853. [ No. 15. ] JOINT RESOLUTION relative to Contingent Fund. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That the Auditor General be and he is hereby authorized and required to transfer on the books of his office to the general fund, all moneys now in the contingent fund and unappropriated, except the sum of one thousand dollars, which shall be retained to the credit of said contingent fund. Resolved, That this resolution shall be in force from and after its passage. Approved February 3, 1853. [ No. 16. ] JOINT RESOLUTION relative to issuing a duplicate warrant to Isaac N. Swain. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That the Auditor General be and he is hereby authorized to issue to Isaac N. Swain, a duplicate warrant on the Internal Im |