The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-09-03
(Bp Antboritp.)
-< 60 ~ - N~-
Laws of the United States.
AN ACT

h''No,isihS the cutting and making a
canal from the river Potomac around
the ives, end OF the dam or causeway
from Mason's- Island and for other
purposes.
enacted ty tie Sencse end Reuse Of Retire.
- seasaises Of Is United States o. isaerice. u,
C@gssss assembled That the common council of Alex
anera shs have power to appoint one or more agents
IA 10! Out and supcrintcnd the cutting and making
canal rer the river Potomac around the west end of
voc VAR of canse~sy from Masons Island to the wes-
u saore OF the said river, into that arm OF said rv
er winch passes around the western side Of said island
m the manner and under the restrictions hereinafter
erected and from the river Potomac along the west
SIDE OF Aiexander's peninsula into said river below
the lower end OF said PENINSULA and through any
other points of land between Masons Island and Al
sAahdria, which may improve the boat navigation Of
sad rver and also that the said common couril OF
Alexandra have power to levy tax upon tho real
property OF the said town, and upon the personal
properly aud the occupations of the citizens thereof
Tor the purpose OF defaying the expense Of cutting
ana making said Canals and afterwards Cor continu-
ing the same IN good repair; and for constructing
ana keeping in repair, aud attending at all times
during high water, the guard gates, or lock, here.
mailer de c,ed TO be constructed in the canal auth.
orized TO be cut aforesaid around the west end Of
the causeway from Mason's Island and Of erecting
the bridges hereinafter mentioned and for keeping
the same in repair.
Sec 2 .iad be il further enacted, That it shall and
may be lawful for the said agent or agents. or ma
jorty OF them, 10 agree with the owners of nny land
through which either of the said canals is intended
to pass for the purpose thereof and in case Of dis.
agreement, or IN case the owner thereof shall be
tene covert under age,non composer out the of dis
tfct, on application 10 one Of the judges of the Cir
cult court Of the district of Columbia, the said
Judge shall issue his directed TO the marshal
OF the district, to sumslon aud empannel twelve a.
BILE and discreet frechoders Of the vcinag- no ways
related 10 eiher party, to meet on some certain
place on the ground through which the said canal is
proposed to be conducted and on certain day to be
expressed in the warrant, Of which reasonable no.
tee shall be given by the marshal 10 The proprietors
or tenants OF said ground, aud the marshall upon
receiving the said warrant shall forthwith summon
the said jury and when met shall administer an oath
or affirmation to every jurynan, that ne will faith.
fully justly and imparllslly value the land no, cx
eecd'ng The width of thirty feet, and all damages
the owncr thereof viii sustain by cutting the canal
through such land, according to the best Of bis skill
and juiBment. and the nquistion thcrcupon taken
szi be signed by the marshal and the turymen pres.
ent aud reurlea by the sarshal 40 the clerk Of the
oouisyH the county Of Aexsrdria, to be 81 MA r0y
corded, land upon every such valuation, the ry r.
hereby directed to describe and ascertain tic bounds
OF the land by them valued, and their valuation shall
be Conclusive on all persons, and shall be paid by
the agent or agents TO the owner of the land, his
or her legal representatives, and on payment there
OF, said canal may be cut and made through said
lands, aud said described land and canal shall be-
come an open highway forever Prozided, They nor
the waters Of the said canaa either of them shall
not Le used for any other purpose than navigation,
but by The consent Of the Of tc lands through
which said canal may pass
SEQ. j. IND oe " further enacted That the canal
authorized 10 be cut aforesaid around the west
end OF tie causcway, and not nearer than one hun.
dred feet In the land end Of the lower eide Of the
wharf formerly used ferry wharf, from Mason's
island, shall commence ut some point on the west.
crA shore OF the Potomac river, above high rock
situated about thirty yards above the said causeway
thence 20 proceed, leavrg the said high rock be-
tween said canal and the river, and passing ut dis
tance of at least twenty feet from the original walls
OF SAID causcway, shall enter said river at the dis
tanoe OF at least twenty and exceeding one hun.
died yards below said caugewayi that said canal
shall not be narrower than twelve feet, wider
than twenty feet at the bottom, and Shall not contain
less than two feet more than four feet in
depth at common owtide, aud shall be substantial
~ walled with stone both sides throng hout, and
If OH excavatDg the scite for the said canal at the
proper depth, 1t does not prove TO be n bottom Of
soid rock then the shall be securely paved at
bottom, with heavy fiat stone well laid for the whole
or sucn part as may not be bottom of natural rock.
And the said canal shall be further secured by wing
walls and puddle the river side prevent the wa
ter from undermining the causeway walls. There
shall also be erected n said canal for the protection
of said causeway, during the th1es Of high freshes,
two substantial guard gates, nigh as. the p,rspet
wall OF said caussway, at least twenty feet above
SAID causeway, and the other at suitable distance
below said causeway, which gates shall be connect
cd by walls with said parapet wall, and of equal
height, 30 as to form complete lock, 10 be firmly
secured at bottom, and with the usual apparatus for
opening and shutting the same, to facilitate the pas
sage Of boats, aud il shall BE tic duty Of the said
common council ct Alexandra TO provide, tbet al
1..s., h. of N..t,C.
careful person shall attend said gates TO keep them
shut. At which times they shall be opened ex
cePt for The passage Of boats, and forever " keep
the said lock and the said canal, in all is walls
wings pavements, gates and other parts in complete
tepsr and IL the said causeway shsuld at any time
be injured IN consequence Of the said common coun
Gil hayitg failed TO take the precautionary measures
aforesaid, and TO keep every part OF the work done
BY them IN good repair, the said common council
shall be liable to the corporation of Georgetown for
all damages said corporation may sustain by such in
jury, to be assessed by jury in an action on the
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