[58] Illinois State Register, October 28, 1836.
[59] Ibid., December 8, 1836.
[60] Sheahan, Douglas, p. 29; MS. Autobiography.
[61] Act of February 27, 1837.
[62] In his Autobiography Douglas says that the friends of the bill persuaded his constituents to instruct him to vote for the bill; hence his affirmative vote was the vote of his constituents.
[63] Douglas was in good company at all events. Abraham Lincoln was one of those who voted for the bill.
[64] See Davidson and Stuvé, History of Illinois, Chapter 40; Wheeler, Biographical History, pp. 68-70; Sheahan, Douglas, pp. 32-33.
[65] But it was no worse than the English custom before the Act of 1857.
[66] House Journal, p. 62.
[67] The assembly substituted the word "inexpedient" for "unconstitutional," in the resolution submitted by Douglas. House Journal, p. 62.