Sec[Section] 1 Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly That John A Clark, his heirs and assigns, be and they are hereby authorised to build and keep for the term of Twenty years from the passage of this act a toll Bridge across the Peckectonica River in Township N^o Twenty seven North of Range N^o Eight East at and opposite the Town of Freeport in Stephenson County Illinois Provided said Bridge shall not interfere with the navigation of said River

Sec 2. The said John A Clark his heirs or assigns shall commence the building of said Bridge within one year and complete said Bridge within Four years from and after the passage of this act. Said Bridge shall be built in a good and substantial manner so as to give a safe and easy passage to all persons and their property wishing to cross the same

Sec 3 After said Bridge shall be complete the said John A Clark his heirs or assigns are hereby authorised to place a toll gate on either end of said Bridge or elsewhere; where he or they may demand of all and every person passing said Bridge the following rate of toll (to wit) For each two horse waggon drawn by two horses or one yoke of oxen

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twenty five cents for each additional pair of horses or yoke of oxen twelve and a half cents for each one horse waggon or carriage, Eighteen and three fourth cents for each man and horse twelve and a half cents for each head of hogs, sheep, or goats one cent for each head of horses, cattle, mules, or asses three cents and three cents for each footman

Sec 4 The said John A Clark his heirs or assigns, shall at all times after the completion of said Bridge keep the same in good repair and allow a speedy passage, and if at any time the Bridge be kept out of repair so that same be impassible for the space of six months at any one time the said Bridge shall accrue to the County of Stephenson Provided however that the distruction of said Bridge by fire high water or other casuality shall not work a forfeiture of the privileges hereby granted; but the said Clark his heirs or assigns shall proceed immediately to repair the same

Sec 5 When the commissioners of the County of Stephenson deem it expedient to purchase Said Bridge they shall have the right to do so by paying the said Clark his heirs or assigns the value of said Bridge in current money of the United States, which value shall be ascertained by the

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valuation of three disinterested appraisers to be appointed by said Court who shall be sworn to a faithfull and impartial discharge of their duties as such appraisers or if the Commissioners of said County will proceed without delay and build a Free Bridge at the place aforesaid or if the people of said County or any number of them will proceed without delay and build a Free Bridge across the Peckectonica River at the place aforesaid and have the same completed within one year from and ^after^ the passage of this act they shall have the power to do so under this act, and the Said bridge when So completed Shall ^be^ and remain open and free for all persons and their property wishing to cross the Same, and shall be and remain a free a free bridge to all intents and purposes, Provided that if the Said Free Bridge when So completed Shall remain out of repair for Six months at any one time, the privileges hereinbefore [granted] to John A Clark Shall be revived and he may proceed to the erection of the Toll afforsaid the Same as if no bridge had been erected by the Commissioners or the People afforsaid,

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Provided, further that causualities [...?] or high water, or otherwise, Shall not work a forfeiture to the People of Said county or commissioners hereinbefore offered to them, but they may proceed immediateley to repair the Same

Sec. 6. If any person or persons Shall wilfully do or cause to be done any injury to Said bridge, the person or persons So offending Shall forfeit and pay the Said John A. Clark his heirs or assigns double the amount of Such injury or damage to be recovered before any Justice of the Peace having jurisdiction of the Same

Sec. 7. The Said bridge Shall be deemed a public highway within the meaning of the laws [punishing?] for the persons injuring[,] obstructing[,] or destroying public Bridges, by any manners or by any means whatever.