The Illinois statute stated that towns incorporated under its provisions could not exceed one square mile. (Corporations [3 Mar. 1845], Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois [1844–1845], p. 112, sec. 5.)
Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois, Adopted by the General Assembly of Said State, at Its Regular Session, Held in the Years, A. D., 1844–’5. Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1845.
Young previously stated that he would appoint Orson Pratt and John E. Page to lead the efforts to incorporate the city. Babbitt, Bernhisel, and Pratt published a notice in the 26 March issue of the Nauvoo Neighbor calling for all voters located in the area bounded by Hibbard, Bain, Lumber, and Rich streets to attend a meeting on 5 April, ten days following the publication of this notice as required by law, “for the purpose of voting for or against incorporating the aforesaid limits under the general incorporation law.” (Council of Fifty, “Record,” 22 Mar. 1845; “Notice,” Nauvoo Neighbor, 26 Mar. 1845, [3]; Corporations [3 Mar. 1845], Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois [1844–1845], p. 111, sec. 1.)
Nauvoo Neighbor. Nauvoo, IL. 1843–1845.
Revised Statutes of the State of Illinois, Adopted by the General Assembly of Said State, at Its Regular Session, Held in the Years, A. D., 1844–’5. Springfield, IL: William Walters, 1845.