matter, which have been compiled from the several volumes of the United States Statutes at Large, published by an order of Congress:

1. "An act authorizing the corporation of Georgetown to make a dam or causeway from Mason's Island to the western shore of the river Potomac," approved January 19, 1805.—(Vol. 1, page 168.)

2. "An act authorizing the erection of a bridge over the river Potomac to Alexander's Island," approved February 5, 1808.-(Vol. 1, page 177.)

The following in brief are some of the features of this act: To be a good and sufficient bridge at least thirty-six feet wide, with a secure railing on each side four feet high and a width of six feet for a way for foot passengers; to have a convenient and sufficient draw, at least thirty feet wide, over the main channel for the passing and repassing of vessels by day and night; a well-constructed and substantial wharf to be erected on piles on each side of the bridge and adjoining or near the said draw, in every respect sufficient for ships and other vessels to lie at securely and free of charge until a suitable opportunity offers, for passing; each leaf of the draw to be twenty feet in width instead of thirtysix, the width of the bridge, and to be removed to wherever the channel may pass under the bridge. A draw or passage way of at least fifteen feet in width to be made in said bridge across the other channel, commonly called the Maryland channel, provided the same shall appear necessary on a view and survey thereof. Bridge and wharves to be erected and finished within five years from and after the first day of October, 1808, and should it remain two years out of repair so as to be unsafe for travel, the powers, authority, privilege, emoluments, and immunities granted to the company shall cease and become absolutely forfeited. The toll to be taken at said bridge to be receivable by the said corporation for and during the term of sixty years from the day when the bridge shall be opened for passengers, after which time it shall be the property of the United States.

3. "An act to enable the Georgetown Potomac Bridge Company to levy money for the object of its incorporation," approved February 22, 1811.-(Vol. 1, page 302.)

4. "An act for the relief of the Eastern Branch Bridge Company," approved March 3, 1815.-(Vol. 1, page 302.)

5. "An act for the relief of the Anacostia Bridge Company," approved March 3, 1815.-(Vol. 1, page 302.)

An act of Maryland incorporated this bridge company in 1797.

6. "An act to incorporate a company to build a bridge over the Eastern Branch between Eleventh and Twelfth streets east," approved February 24, 1819.-(Vol. 1, page 334.)

According to the provisions of this act the bridge was to be at least twenty-five feet wide, with a draw thirty feet in width, and to be built in three years. Authority was given to collect tolls; but if the bridge was out of repair for two years so as to be unsafe for traveling, then all powers, privileges, and immunities were forfeited.

7. "An act to alter the bridge and draws across the Potomac from Washington to Alexander's Island," approved May 14, 1836.-(Vol. 1, page 549.)

This act authorizes the corporation of Georgetown to form a draw in the bridge leading from Washington City to Alexandria, across the Potomac River, not less than sixty-six feet in length, nor less than twelve wide; and for defraying the expenses of making said draw, the first appropriation of $6,000 is made. The bridge company are permitted to reduce the width of the bridge to twenty-four feet, leaving four

feet on one side for foot passengers. In making the draw the opposite sides of the wharves are to be curved off in a circular form and the sides of the spaces covered by said draw to be sufficiently and strongly planked up on each side. Authorizes the corporation of Washington to form a draw in said bridge over the eastern channel of said river thirtyfive feet wide, for which purpose an appropriation of $2,000 is made.

8. The following is an extract from an act supplementary to an act to incorporate the inhabitants of the city of Washington, and is found in vol. 2, page 215, sec. 3: That the council shall have power to "superintend the health of the city, to preserve the navigation of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers adjoining the city, to erect, repair, and regulate public wharves, to deepen the docks and various basins," &c.

9. "An act providing for the purchase by the United States of the rights of the Washington Bridge Company, and for the erection of a public bridge on the site thereof," approved July 14, 1832.—(Vol. 4, page 582.)

This act appropriates $20,000 for the purchase of the rights of the Washington Bridge Company, and authorizes the President of the United States to "cause to be erected upon the site of the present bridge a good and sufficient bridge across the river Potomac, of such materials and upon such plan of construction as he shall approve and direct: Provided, That the said bridge be so constructed as to have a draw therein suitable for the safe passage of vessels of the largest dimensions, capable of navigating the Potomac River above the said bridge, not less than sixty feet at the least; and also on each side of the said draw, and at a suitable distance therefrom, 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 a similar draw at the Maryland channel, of not less than thirty-five feet, with a similar arch: And provided also, That in the selection of the material and in the construction of said draws and arches all practicable attention shall be had to the preservation of the navigation of the said river." By the same act $60,000 dollars is appropriated for the construction of the bridge and works as authorized and directed.

10. "An act in relation to the Potomac Bridge," approved March 2, 1833. (Vol. 4, page 646.)

This act recites that "so soon as the President of the United States shall decide on a plan for the erection of a bridge over the Potomac River at Washington, on or adjoining the site of the old bridge, the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby required to advertise for contracts, after giving at least thirty days' notice;" and for the construction of the bridge $200,000 is appropriated.

11. "An act to improve the navigation of the Potomac River between Georgetown and Alexandria, and for other purposes," approved March 3, 1833.-(Vol. 4, page 646.)

By this act $150,000 is appropriated to remove obstructions, by enlarg. ing and deepening the channel; to make a turnpike to the District line on the Virginia side; and to purchase the bridge over the Little Falls of the Potomac River. It also provides that the corporation of Georgetown shall pass an ordinance to make said road and bridge free, and to be kept in repair by said corporation forever.

12. "An act authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Potomac and repealing all acts already passed in relation thereto," approved June 30, 1834.-(Vol. 4, page 727.)

By this act all previous acts are repealed, except so much of the

former as authorized the purchase of the right of the Washington Bridge Company. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and required to contract for the reconstruction, on the site of the present bridge, of a bridge on the plan of that originally constructed there by the Washington Bridge Company: Provided, That the draw at the southern channel of the river be not less than sixty-six feet, and at the northern channel not less than thirty-five feet; that space or spaces not exceeding in all one thousand six hundred and sixty feet of the shoal or shoals, over which the present bridge passes, may be filled up by a solid embankment, in parts if convenient, of earth obtained by dredging the river channel. A sum, not to be exceeded, of $130,000 is appropriated.

13. "An act to amend an act entitled 'An act authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Potomac and repealing the acts already passed in relation thereto,"" approved March 3, 1835.-(Vol. 4, page 773.)

Amended so far as to authorize a connection by a solid embankment across the middle, commonly called the south channel, of the river Potomac, of the two embankments now constructing on the shoals of the said river, and the addition of the several improvements upon the plan of the said bridge, contemplated in the contract for the construction thereof, which are recommended in the letter of the engineer superintending the said work to the Secretary of the Treasury bearing date December 1, 1834, and transmitted to the House of Representatives on the eighth day of said month. The said improvement shall not cause the entire cost of said bridge to exceed in amount the sum of $130,000 already appropriated.

14. "A resolution authorizing the repair of the bridge across the river Potomac at Washington," approved June 7, 1836.-(Vol. 5, page 132.)

That the Secretary of the Treasury be authorized to have all the repairs made to the bridge which have become necessary from the late flood, and that the expenses of said repairs be paid out of the money heretofore appropriated for the erection of said bridge, and which is now in the treasury unexpended.

15. "A resolution to apply the unexpended balance of the appropriation for the Potomac bridge to the improvement of Maryland avenue leading thereto, and for other purposes," approved July 1, 1836.—(Vol. 5, page 134.)

This act provides that the money appropriated be applied, under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Buildings, towards the graduation, graveling, and planting of the Maryland avenue, &c.; that it shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Public Buildings to attend to the draws, cause the bridge to be properly lighted, to guard against wanton injuries and obstructions, and to preserve a due police on and near it, so as to insure the safety of passengers and of the public property; that said commissioner shall receive for his services the yearly compensation of three hundred dollars, and be authorized to employ three assistants at a compensation not exceeding one dollar and a half a day.

16. "An act to extend the jurisdiction of the corporation of the city of Washington over the Potomac Bridge," approved March 3, 1839.— (Vol. 5, page 364.)

17. "An act to provide for repairing the Potomac Bridge," approved September 11, 1841.-(Vol. 5, page 462.)

This act appropriates the sum of $15,800, in addition to the sum heretofore appropriated, for the repairs of the bridge. It also enacts that the said sum shall be expended under the direction of the Secretary of War, in the following manner, to-wit: He shall designate

some competent officer of the engineer corps to draw plans, and make specifications of the work to be performed, and estimates of the cost or value thereof, which shall not exceed the sum of forty-five thousand eight hundred and six dollars; the officer thus selected shall lay his plans, specifications, and estimates before the Secretary of War for his approval, and the said Secretary shall thereupon cause the work to be constructed upon the plan most approved by him, under the immediate superintendence of some competent officer of either engineer corps, who shall make all necessary contracts for materials and labor, and cause the work to be constructed in the best and most substantial manner, within the estimates and according to the plan approved by the Secretary of War, and under the orders and general direction of said Secretary, who will from time to time cause such advances of the amounts for this object appropriated as he may deem necessary and proper. That the timbers, or such of them as the superintending engineer may think fit, shall be mineralized, &c., &c., &c.

18. "An act to extend the jurisdiction of the corporation of Georgetown," approved July 27, 1842.-(Vol. 5, page 497.) This act extends the jurisdiction of the corporation of Georgetown so as to include the bridge lately constructed by said corporation across the river Potomac at the Little Falls, and the site of said bridge and premises appertaining to said site; and that so often and as long as said bridge shall hereafter from any cause be impassable, it shall and may be lawful for the proprietors of land on both sides of the said river, through which the ferry road to connect with the Little Falls Bridge turnpike must necessarily pass, and they are hereby authorized and empowered to establish and keep a ferry, &c.

19. "An act making appropriations for the civil service for the year ending June 30, 1849, and for other purposes," approved August 12, 1848.-(Vol. 9, page 284.)

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For the purchase of one or both of the bridges over the Eastern Branch, at a valuation to be made in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury may direct, a sum not exceeding thirty thousand dollars, when purchased to be free of toll. For compensation and contingent expenses of the auxiliary guard, $6,775.

20. "An act making appropriations for certain civil expenses of the government for the year ending June 30, 1857," approved August 18, 1856.—(Vol. 11, page 117.)

For repairs of Potomac Navy Yard and Upper bridges, $11,000, and with a view to the construction of a new and substantial bridge across the Potomac, the Secretary of the Interior be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause drawings and estimates of an iron suspension bridge, and also for a stone arched bridge, to be prepared and submitted to Congress at its next session; and with a future view of enabling Congress to select the most eligible site for said bridge, the Secretary aforesaid is instructed to cause drawings and estimates to be prepared at or near the site of the present Potomac bridge; another at or near a place known as the "Three Sisters," and another at such intermediate point as may be deemed most eligible.

21. "An act to extend the jurisdiction of the corporation of the city of Washington over the Lower Eastern Branch or Navy Yard bridge, and for other purposes," approved Aug. 18, 1856.—(Vol. 11, page 117.) 22. "An act making appropriations for certain civil expenses of the government for the year ending 30th June, 1858," approved March 3, 1857.-(Vol. 11, page 221.)

For repairs of the Potomac, Navy Yard, and Upper bridges, $6,000.

23. "An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the year ending June 30, 1859," approved June 12, 1858.-(Vol. 11, page 319.)

For the repairs of the Potomac, Navy Yard, and Upper bridges, $6,000. To pay the residue of the salary of the engineer for constructing the bridge across the Potomac at Little Falls, $2,589 67, and for painting the hand rails and iron work of said bridge $400. And the bridge is hereby placed under the protection of Georgetown, with power to regulate the speed of travel and the passage of droves of cattle over the same, but no toll shall be charged.

24. "An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the year ending the 30th of June, 1860," approved March 3, 1859.-(Vol. 11, page 425.)

For the repairs of the Long bridge over the Potomac River at Washington, $5,000, to be expended under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Buildings.

25. "An act to reimburse the corporation of Georgetown, in the District of Columbia, a sum of money advanced toward the construction of the Little FaHs bridge," approved June 12, 1860.-(Vol. 12, page 29.) $4,600 is appropriated.

26. "An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the year ending June 30, 1861," approved June 25, 1860.-(Vol. 12, page 29.)

For the repairs of the Potomac, Navy Yard, and Upper bridges, $6,000. 27. "An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the year ending June 30, 1862, and appropriations of arrearages for the year ending June 30, 1861," approved July 24, 1861.(Vol. 12, page 271.)

For repairs of the Potomac, Navy Yard, and Upper bridges and the roads appurtenant thereto, $10,000.

28. "An act to provide for the repairs of the Long bridge across the Potomac River," approved August 6, 1861.-(Vol. 12, page 271.)

That the sum of twenty thousand dollars be, and is hereby, appropriated for the repairs of the present Long bridge across the Potomac River.

29. "An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the year ending 30th of June, 1863, and additional appropriations for the year ending 30th of June, 1862," approved July 11, 1862.-(Vol. 12, page 533.)

For repairs of Potomac, Navy Yard, and Upper bridges and the road appurtenant thereto, $6,000.

30. "An act making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the government for the year ending June 30, 1864, and for the year ending June 30, 1863," approved March 3, 1863.—(Vol. 12, page 744.)

For the repairs of the Potomac, Navy Yard, and Upper bridges, and the roads appurtenant thereto, and to repair the house occupied by the bridge keeper at the navy yard, and to erect a wing wall to protect the same, $11,585.

31." An act to extend the charter of the Alexandria and Washington Railroad Company, and for other purposes," approved March 3, 1863.– (Vol. 12, page 805.)

This act authorizes the Washington and Alexandria Railroad Company to extend their railroad from the south side of the Potomac River across said river, to and along Maryland avenue to the Capitol grounds, &c., and empowers the company "to make such additional structure or passage-way along either side of the Potomac bridge as may render the