HENING'S STATUTES, VOLS. 5-13 (1738-1792)
PILOTS
These acts suggests Va. viewed the Potomac as a river "of this dominion," and that it had the power to license pilots (and exclude pilots it did not license) from piloting ships on the river. It is not clear if all ships entering the Potomac were required to hire a pilot, but it suggests that only pilots licensed by Va. were authorized to offer their services on the river.
May 1755-28th George II, Chap. XI, (H6: 490-94)
An Act for establishing Pilots, and regulating their fees.
This act provided for examiners to license pilots in Virginia to conduct "ships and vessels coming into the bay of Chesapeak, bound up the rivers of this dominion" [including the Potomac, which is specified later in the act]. Only licensed pilots are authorized to pilot ships on the rivers specified, and merchant vessels coming from the sea are "obliged to receive the pilot who first offers to conduct his vessel, or shall pay him half pilotage to the first port, and then may continue the same or choose another pilot, or proceed without any pilot if he thinks fit." Specifies the rates to be charged on the various rivers including (p.493) the Potomac.
November 1762-3d George III, Chap. XIII, (H7: 580-85)
An Act for establishing Pilots, and regulating their Fees.
Similar to May 1755, Chap. XI, [H6: 490-94]. Includes same wording re. "rivers of this dominion" and likewise applies to the Potomac. To remain in force from April 10, 1763, for three years.
November 1766-7th George III, Chap. VIII (H8:197)
An act to continue an act, intituled An act for establishing Pilots, and regulating their fees.
Continues act of November 1762 for three years.
November 1769-10th George III, Chap. XVI (H8:353)
An act to continue an act, intituled An act for establishing Pilots, and regulating their fees.
Continues act of November 1762 for three years.
February 1772-12th George III, Chap. XXI (H8:542)
An act to continue an act, intituled An act for establishing Pilots, and regulating their fees.
Continues act of November 1762 for seven years.
May 1778-2nd Commonwealth, Chap. XIX (H9:470)
An act vesting powers in the Commissioners of the Navy for varying the rates of Pilotage according to the exigencies of times.
This act does not mention any rivers by name.
May 1783-7th Commonwealth, Chap. I (11: 185-89)
An act for establishing pilots and regulating their fees.
Similar to May 1755, Chap. XI, [H6: 490-94]. Includes same wording re. "rivers of this dominion" and likewise applies to the Potomac. Only licensed pilots may "conduct or pilot any vessel coming from sea to any place or places hereafter-mentioned." Gives rates to be charged from the cape to Smith's point, on South Potowmack, from Smith's point up the Potomac to Coan or Yocomico, to Machodack, to Upper Machodack, to Nangomy, to Boyd's Hole, to Quantico, to Ocoquan, to Piscataway, to Alexandria, and to Eastern Branch.
October 1786-11th Commonwealth, Chap. XXXVIII (H12:299-303)
An act to amend and reduce into one act, the several acts for regulating pilots, and ascertaining their fees.
This act is very similar to act of 1783; only licensed pilots are lawful; merchant vessels must accept services of first pilot who offers, and it sets rates for pilots on Potomac river from Smith's point to various points on the river up to Eastern Branch.
October 1791-16th Commonwealth, Chap. XXV (H13:267-68)
An act to amend the act concerning pilots.
Appoints additional examiners of pilots and divides pilots into three classes. Does not specify naval districts or on what rivers licensed pilots are to operate.