and repair the streets and alleys and make pavements and side walks, and to provide means to protect the Town from injuries by fires, and to levy a tax on real estate for Town purposes. The powers are somewhat better than none; and will give you some protection and provide somewhat for the advancement and comfort of your . And I would advise the people to avail themselves of them untill they can do better at another session. As to a want of legal united action, on the part of so many corporations in any common design for the good of the city; that must be supplied at present by their voluntary concurrence, which can be brought about by the influence of your leading citizens. There is no other way to do it that I can think of. Whether you have that [p. [338]]
Ford took much of this language describing the powers of an incorporated town from the Illinois statute regarding corporations. (See 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.