The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1874-06-13
FORT ST. PHILLIPS CANAL.

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FORT ST. PHILLIPS CANAL.
Fun Text OF the Improvement Bill as Il
Passed the House.
That a ship canal to connect the Mis-
sissirF river with the Gulf of Mexico
comL tncing st St. Vincent Point, in the
Mig1 1sippi river, below Fort st. Phillip
on BE east side of said river, and termi.
mating at some convenient point in Gre
ton Pass, in the Gulf of Mexico, shall
be constructed and maintained at the
expense of the government of the United
States, and for this purpose the secreta-
ry of war shall cause to be made,
in the most expeditions manner, a
thorough and final survey of said canal
The survey and report of the engineers
assigned TO this duty shall exhibit com
plete plans and specifications of the
work in the construction of such sur
yey, and the sum of $50, 900, or so
much thereof as may be necessary, is
hereby appropriated ont of any funds
IN The treasury not otherwise apprOpri-
ated, to defray the expenses of such
survey.
Sec. ,. That the dimensions of said
canal shall not be less that 200 feet
wide at the bottom throughout the
trunk, and with not less than twenty-five
feet depth of water, with guard-gates,
locks, Lighthouses, basins, bridges, and
other erections and fixtures as may be
necessary for the safe and convenient
navigation of said canal shall be that
indicated in the report Of the engineers.
Sec. 3. That the secretary of war
shall cause said canal to be made and
! I Il
in pc report of the engineers.
S. f. That said canal shall, at all
timB, night and day, be open to the
free use and navigation of all vessels
and crafts belonging to the United
States or any of its citizens, and, until
otherwise provided, to all nations in
commercial amity with the United
States, free from toll or charge said
canal shall be maintained in good or
der and repair at the expenss of the
United States, and operated under the
supervision of an officer TO be detailed
by the secretary of war for said duty
and under his orders; and said canal
shall be a military, naval, postal and
public highway, connecting the Missis-
sippi river arei the Gulf of Mexico !;
that the admiralty jurisdiction Of the
United States be extended and estab-
lished over said canal to the same ex-
tent as it exists over the navigable wa
ters of the United States connected
thereby. he secretary of war shall
have power " establish all needful rules
and regulations not inconsistent with
the laws of the United States concern
ing the navigation thereof, a copy
whereof shall be filed in the Office Cf
the clerk of the United States district
court for the district of Louisiana, and
printed copies of said rules shall be
framed and hung in conspicuous places
on board of said canal and river tow
boats, as well as the offices at either
end of the canal, also in the post-otlice
and custom house mt New Orleans ;
provided that congress may at any
time revise such rules.
Sec. ,. That no expenditure shall be
made or authorized for the construction
of said Fort st. Phillip canal until a
valid title to the lands for the site and
/ appurtenances of said canal, as indica
/ ted in the report of the engineers, In
SsSSissssilss ssissss - = - s',','a -,
canal, and also all such lands as may
be required for defensive works by the
United States, shall be vested in the
United States, and until the state OF
D
over said lands for the construction OF
said cana and shall also duly release
and relinquish to the United States the
right to tax or in any way assess said
lands or property of the United States
that may be thereon during the time the
United States shall be or remain the
owner thereof.
Sec. 6. That the total cost of said
canal shall not exceed 5000, 900, and
no money shall be expended or liability
| incurred by the United States for Its
construction until the entire work is put
under contract, in accordance with this
act. at such prices as to secure the com
pletion of e whole, forming an aggre
gate of NJ more than IS, 600, 900, and
| a sum necessary to complete said canal
not exceeding said sum of SS,OOO,OO
Is hereby appropriated in installment'
of not more than one-third of the ag
gregate cost N any one year.
Sec. 7. ThSt the secretary of wal
| shall, on receipt of survey and report
| aforesaid and without unnecessary de
/ Law, advertise for bids to construct, IL
/ such newspapers as he may think suffi
! cient. and he shall award the contract tC
/ the lowest responsible bidder or bidders
| who shall give bond and securities to the
| satisfaction of said secretary, and thai
/ the work shall be done according to the
| stipulations of such contract; provided
no bid shall be received unless the same
is accompanied with a deposit with the
/ secretary of the sum of 5000, which
/ SUM shall be forfeited to the United
/ ST. Nes and paid into the treasury there
Of In case such bidder fails for periot
~ thirty days after notice that his bio
has been accepted, to make the contrac
in accordance with the terms of his bid
and give the securities as required b,
this act; provided fu ther that tn
contractor or contractors shall perforr
their work according to plans an
specifications of the engineers depart
ment and under direction thereof an
provided further, that said canal sbal
be fully completed for use within tn
De iod of three years from the CON
mencement thereof, and the entire cos
of such canal shall not exceed the SUI
of IS, OO0,0 900.
Sec. 8. That the United States re
serve the right to modify the condition
and terms, and use of the canal, or
amend, alter or repeal this act If th
public interest shall hereafter require