T. WATKINS LIGON, ESQUIRE, GOVERNOR.

439

CHAPTER 314.

AN ACT to authorise John Oliphant and others whom
he may associate with him, to erect and maintain a
Boom across the north branch of the Potomac river.

Passed

Mar. 10, 1854.

WHEREAS, John Oliphant of the Town of Cumber-
land, Allegany county, is represented to this Gen-
eral Assembly, as the owner of a large tract of land
on the Maryland Bank of the Potomac river, about
two miles above, the town of Cumberland, contain-
ing large quantities of iron ore and timber, and is de-
sirous of erecting and maintaining a boom across the
north branch of the Potomac river, for the purpose
of securing his timber as he floats it down said river;
Therefore,

Preamble.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly
of Maryland, That the said John Oliphant be autho-
rised and empowered to float logs, lumber and wood,
and wooden materials down the north branch of the Po-
tomac river above the lands owned by him, and to erect
and maintain a boom across said river opposite his pro-
perty, with such piers and other fixtures as may be ne-
cessary for the purposes of stopping and securing all
logs, lumber and wood, and wooden materials floated

Privileges
granted.

down the said river; Provided, said boom be so con-
structed as not to obstruct or impede the navigation of
the said river, nor interfere with the chartered rights of
any company heretofore chartered by the State.

Proviso.

SEC. 2. And be it enacted, That if any person or
persons shall wilfully or maliciously injure or destroy
any part of said boom, piers, or other fixtures, he or
they shall pay double the amount of the damages to
the said John Oliphant or his assigns, to be recovered
by action of trespass and be also liable to indictment
and prosecution for a misdemeanor before the circuit
court for Allegany county.

Damages for
injury.

SEC. 3. And be it enacted, That the said John
Oliphant and others in his employ, for the purpose of
accomplishing the object of this act, be, and he or they
are hereby empowered to pass and repass up and down
the bed of said river, to release, push off, or float down
said river, any such logs, lumber, wood or wooden ma-
terials as may have been stopped or obstructed before
reaching said boom.

Object.