of African descent, in the service of the United States, the same pay as is paid to other soldiers and seamen of the same grade.

Resolved, That we recognize the right of soldiers and seamen of African descent, in the service of the United States, the same protection that other soldiers and seamen are entitled to by the laws of War.

Resolved, That the Secretary of State be instructed to forward to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress a copy of the above resolutions.

Approved February 27th, 1864.

NUMBER 11.

PACIFIC RAILROAD.

A JOINT RESOLUTION recommending certain changes in the Act of Congress approved July 1st, 1862, establishing a Pacific Railroad and branches.

WHEREAS, In the Act of Congress approved July 1st, 1862, entitled, "An Act to aid in the construction of a Railroad and Telegraph line from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean, and for other purposes," provision is made in Sec. 14, for the construction of a branch road from Sioux City to unite with the main trunk not further West than the One Hundredth Meridian of Longitude West from Greenwich. And by another provision of this Act, Sec. 8, the main trunk of the Road (at its standing point) cannot be located North of the Valley of the Platte River; and as the topography of the country will require the road to cross the main chain of the Rocky Mountains at or in the vicinity of the "South Pass," this North or Sioux City branch will thus be compelled to run South-west at least one hundred and fifty miles out of its most direct, natural and legitimate course to unite with the main trunk; and will also be required to run at right angles with all the tributaries of the Platte, including the Elk Horn and Loup Fork, and their numerous tributaries, and all other streams across which it will run. These streams cut deep, narrow and abrupt channels in the light alluvial soil of their beds through their entire course. The country is also rough, broken and hilly, without timber or other material for building a Railroad or supporting more than a sparse population. These unfavorable characteristics of the country will compel the employment of a very large amount of extra and unnecessary capital in its construction. And

WHEREAS, In consequence of the increased distance, the unfortunate and unnatural direction of the road to unite with the main

trunk and the impracticable character of the country through which it must now run in obedience to the present requirements of the law, there is no probability that that branch can or will ever be constructed unless the law be so modified as to avoid these obstacles, and to allow it to run on the nearest and most practicable route. And

WHEREAS, Should said law be so modified as to allow said Sioux City branch to run westwardly from Sioux City by the nearest and most practicable route to unite with the main trunk, and also to allow an Independent Company to build that Branch, it will enable the road to run up the streams coming down from the Mountains, along which alone are found timber, coal and other material necessary in the construction of a Railroad, it will immediately call in the work an adequate amount of talent, enterprise and capital, which could not otherwise be enlisted, thereby insuring the early completion of said branch; also all the roads running in that direction through the State of Iowa and Minnesota. It will not only materially shorten the distance on that route between the Missouri River and the Mountains, but will lessen the expense of construction nearly if not quite one-half, and it will also place on an equal footing roads which are equally necessary to the full development of the whole country. Therefore,

Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That our Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representatives requested to use their best endeavors to secure a modification of the said Pacific Railroad Law in the following particulars to-wit: 1st, so as to allow said branch to run from Sioux City westwardly, to unite with the main trunk by the nearest and most practicable route-the point of intersection to be approved by the President of the United States. 2d, the said branch to be constructed to the point of intersection with the main trunk by some independent company, incorporated or to be incorporated by the Legislature of Nebraska-said Company to be also approved by the President. 3d, that all the obligations, rights and privileges contained in said law and amendments thereto, shall apply to and be enjoyed by the company constructing said Sioux City branch equally, and to the same extent as they are enjoyed and exercised by the companies constructing other portions of said road and branches.

Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions, duly authenticated, be transmitted by the Secretary of State to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress.

Approved March 2d, 1864.

NUMBER 12.

MEMORIAL FOR A GRANT OF LANDS.

MEMORIAL AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS asking Congress for a grant of lands to aid in the construction of a Railroad from McGregor, on the Mississippi River, to a point in the Western bounds of the State of Iowa, between Sergeant's Bluffs and the North boundary of the State.

To the Senate and House of Representatives

of the United States of America in Congress assembled:

Your memorialists, the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, would respectfully represent that, by an Act of Congress approved May 15th, 1856, in answer to a memorial of the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, a grant of lands was made to said State to aid in the construction of three of the four Railroads named in said memorial. That one of the Railroads, to-wit: that from McGregor westward, named in said memorial of the General Assembly of Iowa, was omitted from, or left out of the said grant. That the route of said Railroad from McGregor westward, would follow very nearly the forty-third parallel of north latitude, and would commence from a point at least eighty miles north of Dubuque, by the course of the Mississippi River, and in its entire length would traverse a line about forty miles north of that of the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad.

That, in our opinion, a great portion of the northwestern part of the State of Iowa, and the southwestern portion of the State of Minnesota, must remain for a long time unsettled, unless encouraged by Railroad facilities. That it is believed that the granting of alternate sections of land to this State, under proper restrictions, for the purpose of aiding in the construction of the Railroad above mentioned, will have a direct tendency to promote, not only the best interests of the States of Iowa and Minnesota, but of the General Government; therefore,

Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That our Senators in Congress are hereby instructed, and our Representatives requested, to use their best endeavors to procure the passage of a law granting to the State of Iowa alternate sections of land along the line of the proposed Railroad, to an equal extent and under like privileges and restrictions with the grants made to the said other Railroads of Iowa, by said Act of May 15, 1856, exempting and excepting all lands heretofore granted by Congress to the State of Iowa, or claimed by actual settlers, to-wit: Commencing at McGregor, on the west bank of the Mississippi River, thence running westward by the most practicable route, on or near the forty-third parallel of north latitude, to a point in the western bounds of Iowa, between Sergeant's Bluffs and the north boundary

of the State, and that the lands likely to be within the scope of the applied for grant, now for sale, be immediately withdrawn from market; and wherever the lands are not in market, the same be withheld from sale until sufficient time shall have expired for the particular location of this Railroad, and the selecting of the lands to be conveyed in said grant.

Resolved, That the Secretary of State be and is hereby instructed to forward a copy of the foregoing memorial and resolutions to each of the Senators and Representatives in Congress, to the Secretary of the Interior, and to the Commissioner of the General Land Office.

Approved March 8th, 1864.

NUMBER 13.

CLAIM OF 8. T. PIERCE.

A JOINT RESOLUTION:

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That the Board of Commissioners appointed to audit claims against the War and Defense Fund be and they are hereby authorized and empowered to audit the claim of S. T. Pierce of Lee county for services in Company "A" of the Southern Border Brigade during the months of November, 1862, and January and February, 1863. And the said Board shall allow to said Pierce, so much as they may find due him for the time he was actually on duty, and for which he has received no pay on account of the omission of the name from the pay roll, and the same shall be paid out of the War and Defense Fund.

Approved March 19th, 1864.

NUMBER 14.

IOWA SANITARY COMMISSION.

WHEREAS, On the 18th day of November, 1863, a convention of citizens of Iowa was held in this city which resulted in the formation of an association known as the "Iowa Sanitary Commission," and said association having become incorporated and declared its

intention to co-operate with the "United States Sanitary Commission,” and with the "Western Sanitary Commission;" it is therefore,

Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That we recommend the noble objects and purposes of this Commission to the people of Iowa, as the proper means for concentrating the efforts of our people in the work of benefiting our sick and wounded soldiers.

Resolved, That by its co-operation with the United States Sanitary Commission and the Western Sanitary Commission, we believe the Sanitary Stores of the State of Iowa which are so generously contributed by her people will reach the army with less expense and more efficiency than by any other plan.

Resolved, That we heartily endorse the Federal principle that the army of freedom, now in the field, is the United States Army, and should be aided and comforted, through the joint efforts of each and every loyal State of the Union.

Resolved, That as Iowa is proud of her noble sons who have gone forth to battle for the freedom of the whole Nation, and of humanity, so is she proud of her Sanitary Commission which has made itself auxiliary to the great National work of carrying the contributions of our people to all soldiers, wherever found, who may need sustenance and support. Approved March 24th, 1864.

NUMBER 15.

S. H. TAFT.

JOINT RESOLUTION for the relief of S. H. Taft.

WHEREAS, S. H. Taft has brought into this State a Colony and located in Humboldt County, on land granted to the State of Iowa, by act of Congress of July 12th, 1862; therefore,

Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, That the Governor be and he is hereby authorized to convey to said S. H. Taft, the land upon which he has located his said Colony, not exceeding ten sections at not less than one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre; said conveyance to be made as soon as the land is certified to the State of Iowa and the money received therefor, to be deposited in the State Treasury for the benefit of the party entitled thereto.

Approved March 26th, 1864.