An ACT to prevent the obstruction of the navigation the eastern and north west branches of the river Patowmack

Chapter XV November 1784

An ACT to prevent the obstruction of the navigation the eastern and north west branches of the river Patowmack 

WHEREAS it is represented to thiB general that great numbers of wears and hedges have of been erected in and upon the eastern and north west of Patowmack Tiver near the town of Bladensburg to great injury of the navigation of the said river and of trade of the said town therefore 

II Be it enacted by the General Assembly of That all wears and hedges already made or hereafter to made in the eastern and north west branches of the Patowmack which obstruct or injure the free navigation thereof shall be and are hereby deemed and declared nuisances and may be by any person or persons pulled down prostrated and abated as such 

III And be it enacted That no person or persons whatsoever shall after the first day of April next put place make any wear or hedge or any other erection which injure the navigation in the said eastern or north west of the river Patowmack under the penalty of five current money for every such offence to be recovered any magistrate of the county of Prince George's one half the informer or him or them that will sue for or prosecute effect for the same the other half to the use of this state 

IV And be it enacted That any person or persons shall fish any such wear or hedge already erected or shall hereafter be erected so as to obstruct or injure the navigation in the said eastern or north west branch of the said river Patowmack shall forfeit and pay for every such offence sum of three pounds current money to be recovered and applied as herein before directed 

V And be it enacted That all wears and hedges made or hereafter to be made upon the water above the of Bladensburg so as to obstruct the natural course of the water or to cause the said water to overflow any part of said town of Bladensburg shall be deemed and taken to nuisances and may be abated as such and any person making erecting or fishing such hedge or wear after the first day of April next shall forfeit for every such offence the sum of five pounds current money to be recovered and applied as aforesaid.