On 1 March 1841 the , Illinois, city council met for the fifth time since the council was created. As with previous meetings, the council met at ’s house. In all city council meetings to date, JS had played an active role as a city councilor. This 1 March meeting was no different, and these minutes are presented to provide an example of JS’s participation on the council. JS offered one resolution, made two motions respecting city appointments, and presented six city ordinances, all of which passed. Two of the ordinances JS introduced placed particular emphasis on protecting liberties and constitutional rights for people in Nauvoo, something JS and his coreligionists found lacking in . The passage of these ordinances highlights the commitment of the city council to guarantee civil, political, and religious liberty to all in Nauvoo.
recorded the minutes of the 1 March 1841 city council meeting in a notebook. Those original minutes were then used by Sloan to record the official minutes in the city council’s ledger. The official minutes are featured here.
City offices which was read three times, and passed, to Wit:
An Ordinance Creating certain additional City Offices therein named.
Sec. 1. Be it ordained by the City Council of the City of , That in addition to the City officers heretofore elected, there shall be elected by the city council, one High Constable, for each ward, one surveyor and Engineer, one Market Master, one Weigher and Sealer and one Collector for the , whose duties shall hereafter be defined by Ordinance.
Sec. 2. This ordinance to take effect, and be in force from and after its Passage.
Passed March 1st. 1841.—
, Mayor.
Recorder.
The following appointments were made (by the City Council,) of High Constables for the .
1st. Ward
3rd. Ward
2nd. "
4th. "
was Sworn into office.
Colr. J. Smith moved, that the office of Supervisor of Streets be declared vacant in consequence of the Supervisor being necessarily absent from the , which was carried unanimously.
was appointed Supervisor of Streets. The City was then appointed to act as Supervisor of Streets in the absence of that officer, and was sworn in.
Colr. J. Smith offered the following Resolution, which was seconded and Carried.— Resolved. That the give notice to the person having encumbrance on the Street at ’s House, and oblige him to have same removed within ten days.
Upon Motion of , it was resolved, that all nuisances on the Street which runs along the be removed by the Supervisor.