Year: 1867

An Act to extend the Charter of the Alexandria


and Washington Railroad Company, and for


other Purposes.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House OF Rep
resentatives, of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That the Alexandria and
Washington Railroad Company be, and the same
is hereby, authorized to extend their said railroad
from the south side of the Potomac across said
river, to and along Maryland avenue to the Capt.
tol grounds, and across Pennsylvania avenue
along First street to Indiana avenue, and thence
to the Baltimore and Ohio depot; and that all the
ordinary rights, privileges, and liabilities, in
cident to similar corporations are conferred upon
said company for that purpose: Provided, how
ever, That the same shall be subject to altera-
tions, amendment or repeal: And provided,
further That the cars shall not be drawn on the
streets aforesaid, or on the structure across the
Potomac River mentioned in the second section
of this act, by steam power without the consent
of Congress and of the corporate authorities OF
the city of Washington thereto: And provided,
further: That said company shall be authorized
to charge and receive rates of freights and
fares not exceeding five cents for each person
transported and for each ton conveyed on said
road so extended: And provided also, That
no person shall be excluded from the cars on ac-
count of color.


Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said
company are hereby empowered to make such
additional structure or passage way along either
side of the Potomac bridge as may render the
same safe for public use, and so not to hlnC er
the general use of said bridge for ordinary travel,
w
perienced civil engineers, who shall report, by
proper surveys and estimates, to the Secretary of
the Interior for his approval; the whole cost of
which surveys and construction of said addition
al bridge for the purposes aforesaid to be paid by
the said company. And the said company shall
construct such draws as shall correspond with
those now in use on the said bridge, and of such
model as shall be determined by the Secretary OF
the Interior, and which shall afford reasonable
facilities for navigation on the Potomac River.


Sec. D. And be it further enacted, That the said
company shall keep that portion of the avenues
Or streets occupied by their road in good repair,
and provided with suitable crOssways, at the
proper places, for vehicles, and wheeled carriages
and for general use. The track of said road shall
be laid as nearly in the centre of the street and
avenues through which it passes, as may be,
without Interfering with the water mains and
gas pipes, and the speed of avel shall be subject
to such regulations the corporate authorities
of the city of Washington SHALL from time to
time, prescribe, under such penalties as the said
corporate authorities shall impose: Provided,
however, That the rights and privileges herein
granted shall confer no authority or right to in
terfere with the United States military use or pos
session of said road or contemplated extension
dullng the present rebellion, or to any claim for
damages or indemnifcation therefor.


Sec. 4. And belt further enacted, That the said
company may acquire and hold such real and per-
sonal estate as the practical use and working of
said road may require, under such regulations,
and subject to such taxation, as is imposed by
law on similar property located in the city OF
Washington.