Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1883-04-26


An act in relation to the Stevens battery, and ap
propriating the proceeds Of the sale thereof.
Whereas, 1t appears by the opinion Of the tu-
wherein Anna A Carkson and others are plain
tiffs in error, and Martha B. Stevens and others
are defendants in error, that "Edwin A. Stevens
died August seventh, one thousand eight hum
dred and sixty-eght, and, by his will, conceiving
himself to be the owner of the unfinished vessel
which he had been in possession since the death
of his brother and claiming as his residuary leg
atee, he directed his executors to complete it on
his general plans, at cost not to exceed one
million dollars, and then to offer 1t to the State
of New Jersey as present (; the executors after
having expended nine hundred and nineteen
thousand nine hundred and fifteen dollars and
forty cents upon the vessel, found that they
could not finish 1t for the amount OF money to
which they were limited, and discontinued the
work; in the meantime the state Of New Jersey
had accepted the bequest, and the consent Of con-
gress thereto was giyen:n and whereas, the de-
gree of the court Of chancery was affirmed by
the supreme court of the United States, and the
mandates issued February seventh, one thousand
eight hundred and eighty three. to the court OF
chancery of the state of New Jersey, in order
that execution and proceedings may be had in the
said cause in conformity to the judgment and de-
cree of said supreme court; and whereas, pend
ing said proceedings an order was made by the
chancellor of the state Of New Jersey, April
twenty-ninth, one thousand eight hundred and
eighty, for the sale of said battery, and said bat
tery was sold under said order, Septembertwcnty-
ninth, one thousand eight hundred and eighty, by
Washington B. Williams, as special MASTER and
the proceeds Of said sale, after deduct1ng the
penses therof were deposited with the clerk of
the court of chancery to be held in place of said
battery subject to the further order of the chan
celor in relation thereto; and whereas, under
said order said sale was upon application, ap-
proved by said chancellor; and whereas, the
executors of Edwin A. Stevens are now ready to
execute such conveyance or instrument as may
be proper, and whereas, it is proper that the
money arising from said sale should be paid into
the treasury Of tine state of New Jersey and ap-
propriated to some special purpose; therefore,
]. Be it enacted by the Senate and General As
sembly of the State of New Jersey, That the state
of New Jersey hereby accepts the proceeds of the
sale OF said battery now in the court of chancery,
in lieu of and in full execution of the terms of the
beqncst made by said Edwin A. Stevens in his last
will and testament, and in the codcils thereto,
upon the execution by the executors of such ia
strument, conveyance release of all interest in
said battery and in the proceeds of the sale thereof
as shall be approved by the governor and attorney
general Of the state, such instrument TO be fled
with the comptroller of the state
2. And be it enacted, That the proceeds of the
sale of said battery as aforesaid shall be paid to
the of the state and appropriated TO the
state institution for the deaf and dumb to be used
by the trustees of said institution for completing
the alterations, repairs and improvements in the
property of said Institution; for constructing and
furnishing the necessary buildings; for purchasing
the necessary school books, school apparatus, and
otner appliances, and for such other purposes as
may in he Judgment of the sadtrustees, be found
necessary to prepare the said buildings for their IN
tended occupancy and to establish the pupils
therein.
3. And be it enacted, That this act shall take
effect Immediately.
Approved March 5, 1888.