HENING'S STATUTES, VOLS. 5-13 (1738-1792)

NAVAL OFFICERS

May 1783–7th Commonwealth, Chap. XXI (H11:258-64)

An act to amend and reduce into one Act, the several acts of assembly for the appointment of Naval-Officers, and ascertaining their fees.

Appoints a naval officer for the several naval districts, one of which is "the district of South Potowmack, and a deputy for the said district to reside at Alexandria. The naval office for this district shall be kept at "the mouth of Yocomico." Naval officers are to enter and clear vessels. [Presumably this applies to ships entering Virginia ports, not the Potomac river itself.]

October 1787–12th Commonwealth, Chap. IV (H12:438-52)

An act to amend the several acts of Assembly concerning naval officers and the collection of the Duties.

This act directs that there be a naval officer at each "of the following districts," including "South Potowmack.." The residence of that naval officer shall be "at Yeocomico or Alexandria." "The master or owner of every vessel coming into this commonwealth shall proceed with the same without delay to the port at which she intends to enter: And shall within sixty hours after her arrival at moorings in such port, make to the naval officer of the district, a just and true report . . ."

[Similar to the act of 1783; it seems clear that the act applies to ports, not to the river itself.]