[No. 3.]

JOINT RESOLUTION in relation to the State Prison. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That the committee on the prison of the Senate, and the like committee of the House, be a joint committee to examine into and report upon the charges contained in the annual report of the inspectors of the state prison against the agent of the state prison; that said committee have power to send for persons and papers, and to visit or cause to be visited by one or more of their number, the state prison, to procure the necessary information, and that they report thereon with all convenient despatch. Approved January 13, 1847.

[No. 4.]

JOINT RESOLUTION in relation to the Printing of Bills. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That hereafter the number to be furnished of all bills ordered to be printed by either branch of the legislature shall be two hundred and seventy-five; of which number eighty shall be delivered to the messengers of the Senate, and one hundred and ninety to the messengers of the House of Representatives, who shall distribute three copies thereof to each member, including the President and Secretary of the Senate, and the chief Clerk of the House, and one copy to the Secretary of State, to be by him preserved, and that he shall cause the same to be bound after the adjournment of each legislature, and deposited in his office. Approved, January 13, 1847.

[No. 5.]

JOINT RESOLUTION relative to certain Salt Spring Lands.

Whereas, The Congress of the United States, in the supplementary act to provide for the admission of the state of Michigan into the Union, granted to this state seventy-two sections of land, designated and known as "salt spring lands;"

And whereas, It is contrary to the settled policy of this state to

lease any of its lands, thereby introducing a system of tenantry, fraught with many evils and with no corresponding benefit; therefore

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That our Senators and Representatives in the Congress of the United States be, and they are hereby requested to urge upon Congress the passage of a law, giving the consent of Congress to the sale of the lands aforesaid, and in such manner as the legislature of this state shall direct.

Resolved, That the governor of this state be requested to transmit a copy of the foregoing to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress.

Approved January 19, 1847.

[No. 6.]

JOINT RESOLUTIONS of instruction to the joint Committee on State Prison.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That the joint committee of examination of the charges against the agent of the state prison be and they are hereby instructed, when at Jackson, to enquire and report,

First, What amount of expenditure is necessary for building purposes during the current year, and for what buildings.

Secondly, Whether under a prudent administration of the affairs of the state prison, the subsistence, clothing and care of the prisoners, cannot be paid for with the labor of the prisoners.

Thirdly, If any expenditure is necessary, how much, and for what purposes.

Resolved further, That the said joint committee be and they are hereby instructed to enquire into the manner in which the government of the prison has been administered; whether any of the officers of the prison have failed or neglected to perform their respective duties, and whether there is sufficient cause for the statement contained in the annual report of the inspectors of the prison, that the present laws and those contained in the new revised statutes, are

insufficient for the good government and management of the prison, and require a change.

Approved January 26, 1847.

[No. 7.]

JOINT RESOLUTIONS relative to the Leasing of Mineral Lands by the United States.

Whereas, The general government has for several years past granted leases of the unsold mineral lands within this state, and thereby invited explorations and expenditures of labor and capital by our citizens to a large amount in discovering the mineral wealth of the Upper Peninsula ;

And whereas, The president of the United States has declared the leases which have been granted to be "without authority of law," leaving the lessees without that protection in the enjoyment of their discoveries which was the inducement prompting such a large and hitherto unproductive outlay of capital;

And whereas, The legislature of this state have declared "that all leases of any of the lands aforesaid within this state, by authority of the United States, are contrary to the interests and policy of this state;" therefore,

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That our senators and representatives in congress be and they are hereby requested to urge the immediate passage of a law by congress to provide for such disposition of the mineral lands claimed by the United States within this state, and on such terms as shall comport with the sovereign rights of this state, and secure the just rights of all persons, who, trusting to the faith of the government, have devoted their labor and embarked their capital in exploring the country and developing its mineral wealth.

Resolved, That the governor be requested to transmit a copy of the foregoing preamble and resolution to each of our senators and representatives in congress.

Approved January 26, 1847.

[No. 8.]

JOINT RESOLUTION authorizing the Board of Internal Improvement to settle with the Superintendent and Collectors on the Southern Railroad, and for other purposes.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That the Board of Internal be and hereby is authorized and directed to settle with, and allow to the Superintendent and Collectors on the Southern Railroad, the amount of uncurrent money respectively received by them in good faith, as agents of the state.

Approved January 28, 1847.

[No. 9.]

JOINT RESOLUTIONS on the Existing War with Mexico.

Whereas, War now exists between the United States of Ameri- Preamble. ca and the Republic of Mexico;

And whereas, The immediate cause of said war was the hostile invasion of American territory and attack on the American forces stationed within said territory, by an organized army of Mexico, acting under the orders of their government;

And whereas, The government of Mexico claims as a just cause for such hostility on her part, the annexation of Texas to the United States; therefore, be it

1. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Michigan, That at the time of her annexation to our Union, Texas was a free, sovereign state, capable of making treaties, contracting alliances, and doing all other acts and things that a free and independent state might of right do; and that in the treaty of annexation, Mexico had no just cause for offence, much less for war. 2. Resolved, That the message of the chiefmagistrate of these United States to the present Congress, is a triumphant vindication of our government in warring against Mexico, and clearly establishes the fact that the history of Mexico is one of continued wrongs and abuses against the government and people of these United States.

3. Resolved, That the present war is one of Mexico's own seeking; that it had its immediate origin in the invasion of American territo

tion.

ry by her armed soldiery; that the honor of our flag, the protection of our citizens, and the preservation of the national character, alike impelled our arms to beat back the invaders and chastise their arrogance, and nobly have they done their duty.

4. Resolved, That it is the part of wisdom, patriotism and humanity to prosecute with vigor, this war that has been thus forced upon us, as the only sure guarantee of a speedy and honorable peace; and that we deem it the duty of Congress to provide the men and means necessary to consummate an object so devoutly to be desired by every philanthropist and patriot.

5. Resolved, That in providing for the support of this war, we should not be unmindful of those gallant sons of the republic, who proudly follow its flag to battle and to victory, and that it is the duty of our government to make suitable provision for the officers and men who may serve their country faithfully, and for the widows and children of all those who may fall while fighting under its ban

ner.

6. Resolved, That the invincible courage and heroism of the army of this republic, regular and volunteer officers and men, as displayed at the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and Monterey, has shed undying lustre on the American name, and reared for themselves a monument in every American heart; and that the noble spirits over whose fall in battle the nation is called to mourn, have left behind them a fame as imperishable as the germ of freedom.

7. Resolved, That in the acquisition of any new territory, whether by purchase, conquest or otherwise, we deem it the duty of the general government to extend over the same the ordinance of seventeen hundred and eighty-seven, with all its rights, privileges, conditions and immunities.

8. Resolved, That the sum of ten thousand dollars be, and the same Appropria- is hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the treasury, except school and university funds, to be applied in the discretion of the executive, in fitting out any volunteer regiment, battalion or company that may be called from this state to serve in the existing war

Copies to be transmitted.

with Mexico.

9. Resolved, That the executive of this state cause a copy of the