248

LAWS OF MARYLAND.

or any part thereof, and the same to alter at their

pleasure; provided said tolls shall not exceed ten

cents per ton.

SEC. 11. And be it enacted, That all vessels shall

be free to navigate said canal upon equal terms;

and said canal, when so constructed and opened for

Public com-

navigation, shall be and remain a public commer-

mercial high-
way.

cial highway, open to all vessels upon terms of the

most exact equality, and no higher tolls, by any

name or device whatsoever, shall be charged upon

or collected from citizens of any State than are

charged or paid as through tolls.

SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That for the

purpose of securing the complete opening of the ship

canal, so as to connect the waters of the Chesapeake

and Delaware Bays, the said company shall have pow-

er and authority to enter into such contract or con-

tracts, upon such terms and conditions as may seem

proper and expedient, with any other corporation

or person or persons whatsoever having authority

to cut or make any canal or canals in the State of

Delaware, in order that a connection may be made

Power to con-

with such canal or canals, and the object and pur-

nect with any
other canal.

poses of this act be now fully carried out: and

thereupon, on such connections being made, that

the said continuous canal or canals, and all and sin-

gular, its and their appendages and appurtenances,

may be used and employed by the said company so

far forth, as the authority of this State may extend,

to give any needful power thereof, as if such other

canal or canals lay wholly within the limits of this

State, and such contract or contracts as aforesaid

were made with the full approbation of the General

Assembly of Maryland.

SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That the said

company shall have power and authority to pur-

chase or hire, or build and construct, steamships of

such capacity as may be desirable for the purpose

of towing vessels through the said ship canal, or

Carry passen-

for carrying freight or passengers from any port to

gers.

any port through the said ship canal, or for carrying

and conveying passengers or freight that may be

transshipped at either of the termini of said ship

canal upon such vesels, or for carrying and conveying

passengers and freight for transshipments through

the said canal upon other vessel or vpssels; and the