Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-08-18

AN AL providing Tor the purchase Dy the u.
States of the rights of the Washington Bridge
Company, in the District Of Columbia. and
for the erection Of public bridge on the site
thereof.
WHEREAS it is represented TO this present Con.
gross, that the Washington Bridge Company
are willing and DESTROYS to sell, convey, and
transfer. TO the United States, the bridge by
them owned, in its present condition, with all
their rights, property. and privileges, as COM
pany, under the existing laws, including their
lands, piers, abutments, roads and ways, "a
we'll as all materials by them owned at the
site of the said bridge, whether worked up in
the construction Ut re construction OF the same
or not, for the sum Of twenty thousand dol
iars:-.
BE IL enacted. &c. That provided the said
Washington Bridge Company shalt. at a lawful
meeting OF the stockholders thereof, agree to con-
vey, and shall actually convey. to the U. States,
the said bridge as it now Is. with all the estate,
right. title, and interest, either 10 law or equity
by them owned, as a company. under existing
laws, in said bridge, with its piers, abutments,
roads and ways, together with all the materials
by them now owned as a company, at the said
bridge and ways, either worked up or not. in the
construction or Reconstruction of the said bridge
and all other their rights, privileges, and immu-
mites. as such company, within two calendar
months from the passing Of this act; which con
veyance the said company is hereby authorized
and empowered TO make. by deed, under their
corporate seal, to be deposited with the Secreta-
ry Of the Treasury of the United States; then
the said Secretary shall be. and he hereby is, au-
thorized aud required to pay to the said compa-
nv the sum Of twenty thousand dollars, out OF any
moneys in the treasury not otherwise aPpropIl-
ated.
Sec. o md he Il further enacted, That, upon
the execution of such conveyance by the SAID
company, the President Of the United States be,
and he is hereby, authorized to cause to be erect
ed upon the site of the present bridge, good
and sufficient bridge across the river Potomac,
of such materials, and upon such plan OF con-
Struction as he shall approve and direct: Provid-
ed, That the said bridge be so constructed as to
have draw therein suitable for the sale passage
of vessels of the largest DIMENSIONS, capable of
navigating the Potomac river abuve the said
bridge, not less than sixtv.six feet at the least
and also or each side of the said draw, and at a
suitable distance tferefrom, an arch OF sufficient
elevation to admit the passage under the same Of
an ordinary steamboat; which said draw and
arch shall be at the Virginia channel in the said
river: And provided, further, That there shall
be similar draw at the Maryland channel,
of not less than thirty-tivc feet, with similar
arch: And provided, also, That in the selection
of materials, and in the construction of the said
bridge, draws and arches, all practicable atteE-
ton snail be had to the preservation oil the navl-
gatpn of the said river.
Sec. s. find be IL further enacted. That to-
wards the construction of the said bridge and
works here by authorized and directed, the sum
Of sixty thousand dollars be, and the same Is here
by, appropriated, payable out OF any moneys In
the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Sec. 4. find be IL further enacted. That the
said company shall apply and distribute the SAID
sum of twenty thousand dollars in the following
manner, that IS to say: first to reimburse the ex.
penses incurred by the said company since the
last adjournment Of Congress, TO the stockhold-
ers advancing the same, and the balance among
the stockholders, pro rata, on the cost OF each
share, to the present holder thereof. to be a,cer-
tanned by the company, if necessary. by the oath
or affirmation Of the presen, hoder.
Sec. 5. find be Il further enacted. That the
provisions of this act shall have no effect, un.
less three valuers, to be appointed BY the Presi.
dent of the Unitedc Estates, having no interest in
the said bridge or 10 any property in the District
of Columbia, and not being inhabitants Of the said
District, or a majority of them, shall. on oath,
decide that the property Of the said bridge com
pauv. SO to be conveyed to the United States
exclusive of any supposed value of the privileges
held bv them under their charter as a company,
is of the value Of wen.y thousand dollars; or un.
less in case the said vauers, majority of them,
shall value the said property at sum less than
twenty thousand dollars, the said bridge compa-
ny will agree to accept The amount OF such vaiu-
alton. This act shall be in force from the pass
ing thereof.
Approved, July ID, 1882.