corder.

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the said recorder of land titles, shall have the same powers, and perform the same duties Power and in relation to the claims thus filed before the duty of refirst day of December next, and the claims which have been heretofore filed, but not decided on by the commissioners, as the board of commissioners had by former laws respect. ing claims filed prior to the first day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eight, ex cept that all of his decisions shall be subject to the revision of Congress. And it shall be the duty of the said recorder to make to the Commissioner of the General Land Office a report of all the claims which shall be thus filed before the first day of December next, and of the claims which have been already filed but not decided on by the said commissioners; together with the substance of the evidence in support thereof, with his opinion and such remarks as he may think proper, which report together with a list of the claims which, in the opinion of the said recorder, ought to be confirmed, shall be laid by the Commissioner of the General Land Office before Congress, at their next session, for their determination thereon. The said re. Additional corder in addition to his salary as fixed by law, shall be allowed fifty cents for each claim which has been filed, but not decided on by the commissioners; or which shall be filed according to this act, and on which he shall make a decision, whether such decision be in favor of, or against the claim, and a further allowance of five hundred dollars, Further al which shall be paid after he shall have made lowance. his report to the Commissioner of the General Land Office; which allowance of fifty

fce.

cents for each claim decided on, and fie hundred dollars on the completion of the business, shall be in full compensation fr his services, including clerk hire, respecting the claims to be decided on according to this

President au

thorised to

CHAPTER C.

AN ACT authorising the remission of forfeited recognizances within the District of Colum

bia.

BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States shall have the power to grant remissions of the forfeitures remit forfei- of all recognizances acknowledged and taken or to be acknowledged and taken, before any court, judge, justice of the peace, or other magistrate within the District of Columbia, either in the course of any criminal prosecution, or for surety of the peace.

tures, &c.

H. CLAY,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

WM H. CRAWFORD,

President of the Senate, pro-tempore.

June 17, 1812.

APPROVED,

JAMES MADISON.

CHAPTER CI.

AN ACT authorising the cutting and muking a canal from the river Potomac around the west end of the dam or causeway from Mason's island, and for other purposes.

Alexandria

to appoint agents to lay out and su perintend cutting of canal, &c.

BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the common council of Alexandria shall have Common power to appoint one or more agents to lay council of out and superintend the cutting and making empowered a canal from the river Potomac around the west end of the dam or causeway from Ma son's island to the western shore of the said river, into that arm of said river which passes around the western side of said island, in the manner and under the restrictions hereinafter directed; and from the river Potomac along the west side of Alexander's peninsula into said river, below the lower end of said peninsula, and through any other points of land between Mason's island and Alexandria, which may improve the boat navigation of said river; and also that the said common council of Alexandria have May levy a power to levy a tax upon the real property tax. of the said town, and upon the personal property and the occupations of the citizens thereof, for the purpose of defraying the expense of cutting and making said canals, and afterwards for continuing the same in good repair; and for constructing and keeping in repair, and attending at all times during high water the guard gates or lock, hereinafter directed to be constructed in the canal authorised to be cut as aforesaid around the

Agents may agree with owners of

land,

In case of disagreement a judge may

issue his warrant to the

marshal to

summon a

jury.

west end of the causeway from Mason's island, and of erecting the bridges hereinafter mentioned, and for keeping the same in repair.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall and may be lawful for the said agent or agents or a majority of them to agree with the owners of any land through which either of the said canals is intended to pass, for the purchase thereof, and in case of disagreement, or in case the owner thereof shall be a feme covert, under age, non compos, or out of the district, on application to one of the judges of the circuit court of the District of Columbia, the said judge shall issue his warrant directed to the marshal of the district, to summon and empannel twelve able and discreet freeholders of the vicinage, noways related to either party, to meet on some certain place on the ground through which the said canal is proposed to be conducted, and on a certain day to be expressed Notice to be in the warrant, of which reasonable notice given to pro- shall be given by the marshal to the proprie. tors or tenants of said ground; and the marshal upon receiving the said warrant shall forthwith summon the said jury, and when met shall administer an oath or affirmation Juror's oath. to every juryman, that he will faithfully, justly, and impartially value the land not exceeding the width of thirty feet, and all damages the owner thereof will sustain by cutting the canal through such land, accord. ing to the best of his skill and judgment; and the inquisition thereupon taken, shall be signed by the marshal and the jurymen present, and returned by the marshal to the clerk of the court of the county of Alexan

prietors or

tenants.

Inquisition

to be signed

and returned by the mar

shal

be conclusive

&c.

dria to be by him recorded; and upon every such valuation the jury is hereby directed to describe and ascertain the bounds of the land by them valued, and their valuation Valuation to shall be conclusive on all persons, and shall and paid to be paid by the agent or agents to the owner the owner, of the land, or his or her legal representatives; and on payment thereof, said canal may be cut and made through said lands, and said described land and canal shall become an open highway forever: Provided, Land and caThey nor the waters of the said canals or an open either of them shall not be used for any other highway. purpose than navigation, but by the consent Only used for of the owner of the lands, through which navigation. said canal may pass.

canal.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the canal authorised to be cut as aforesaid around the west end of the causeway, and not nearer than one hundred feet to the land, and of the lower side of the wharf, formerly used as a ferry wharf, from Mason's island, shall commence at some point on the Commencewestern shore of the Potomac river, above a ment of the high rock situated about thirty yards above the said causeway, thence to proceed, leaving the said high rock between said canal and the river, and passing at a distance of at least twenty feet from the originals walls of said causeway, shall enter said river at the distance of at least twenty and not exceeding one hundred yards below said causeway; that said canal shall not be narrower than twelve feet, nor wider than twenty feet at the bottom, and shall not contain less than two feet, nor more than four feet water in depth at common low tide, and shall be sub- Depth. stantially walled with stone on both sides To be walled.

Width.