Page:Journal of the Sixth Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan.djvu/116

104 to inquire into the expediency of memorializing Congress for an increase of representatives in the Legislative Council, reported the following memorial, which was laid on the table:

The Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan respectfully represents, that much inconvenience is experienced in the transaction of business, from the small number that compose this legislative body. The duties imposed upon the present members are extremely arduous. The accumulation of business resulting from a rapidly increasing population, who are constantly forming new towns and counties, cannot be well and properly accomplished by so small a number of members, within the time prescribed by law for the sessions of the Legislative Council.

In the event, therefore, that the people of this territory are not authorized, by an act to be passed at the present session of Congress, to form a constitution and state government, in accordance with the principles contained in the memorial adopted at the second session of the fifth Legislative Council, which is now before Congress, the Legislative Council would most respectfully solicit, that their numbers may be increased to nineteen members, and that their sessions may be extended to ninety days in the year, which will give a more equal proportion of members to the different sections of the territory, and a sufficient time to enable them to do justice to the many wants of an enterprising and growing population. The additional expenses will be inconsiderable, and the benefits to the territory will be very important.

And your memorialists will ever pray, &c.

Resolved, That the President of this Council be, and he is hereby instructed, to transmit copies of the foregoing memorial to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the delegate from this territory in Congress.

The bill to change the name of the Pontiac Academy, and the bill to incorporate the Detroit and Pontiac Rail-road Company, were severally read the second time by their titles.

On motion of Mr. Martin, the unfinished business of yesterday was taken up, it being the bill to establish branches of the Bank of Michigan, the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank of Michigan, and the Bank of River Raisin, with the amendments made thereto in committee of the whole.

The question being on concurring with the committee of the whole on the third amendment as follows:

"Add to section 8: And five hundred shares of the capital stock, the President, Directors and company of the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank shall permit the inhabitants of the territory of