Mr. COOK. When this charter was passed there was this provision in it: that the lands hereby granted to the said State of Illinois shall be subject to the disposition of the Legislature thereof for the purpose authorized and none other, that is, for the purpose of building a railroad, and that said railroad and branches shall be, and forever remain, apublic highway for the use of the Government of the U.S. free from toll or other charge for the transportation of troops and other property of the U.S. The provision is that the road shall remain a public highway, free of tolls or other charges to the Government. This provision had been construed in other grants for canals and high ways to mean that the Government should have the right to transport on those canals and high ways whatever it had to carry. That question, to say the least of it, when this war commenced, was an open one, one about which there was a difference of o )iiiion. The question was submitted to the then President and his Cabinet. It received a careful consideration from both, and by way of settlement of the question, about which every one will consider that there might reasonably be a difference of opinion, a proposition was made to ay a certain proportion to that road and to do not a certain proportion. The proposition came from the Government 1st to the railroad, being made by the SecyWar in the following letter addressed to the president of the road: WAR Dept August15, 1861. Sm: Upon consultation with the QuarterMGen. it has been decided by this Dept thut the clause in your charter. section four. gives a clear right to the Government of the U.S. to the use of your roadway. without compensation, for the transportation of its troops and its property. As a proper compensation for motive power, cars, and all other facilities incident to trauspoitation.two cents permile will be allowed for passengertravel. subjectto a discount of 33 and a 3rd%. as due to Government for charter privileges. Payment for transportation of lrcights stiircs, munitions of war and other public properly. will be made at such reasonable rates as may be allowed to other railroad companies, subiject however, to the abatement of 33 an a 3rd ier cent. asbefore specified. The foregoing basis has been arranged with the distinct understanding that transportation shall be furnished by yourcompany at such time!and in such manner as the Government of the U.S. may roquire and that preference shall bouiven to Govornment transportation. in uccordancewith the requisilions of this dept and of its officers. It this proposition is acceptable to your company. notice, in writing. to that effect, Will be expected within ten days from this date. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SIMON CAHLRON, Stu clam of War. W. H. Osnons. Esq. PresidentIlline h Mal Railroad.