Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois represented in the General assembly. That John Willson his heirs and assigns be and they are hereby authorized to keep a ferry across the Mississippi River between Stephenson, in Rock Island County and Davenport in the county of Scott, in the Territory of Iowa, and also to keep a ferry from Stephenson to Rock Island, and from thence to Davenport, for and during the term of fifteen ^ten^ years from the passage of this act, then the rights and privileges herein granted shall cease and determine.

Sec. 2. The said John Willson his heirs and assigns shall be governed, in the exercise of the grants herein conferred and be liable to all the penalties and forfeitures contained in the provisions of the “act to provide for the establishments of Ferries, Toll Bridges, and Turnpike roads, approved February twelfth one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven.

Sec. 3. The county commissioners court of said county of Rock Island are hereby prohibited from granting any licence to any other person or persons, bodies politic or corporate to keep a ferry across said river within one mile on either side of the Ferry House, at or near the termination of Buffalo street on the bank of said river in said town of Stephenson, unless the said Willson, his heirs and assigns should fail to comply with the provisions of the above recited act.

Sec. 4. The said John Willson, his heirs and assigns, shall be entitled to demand and receive from each and every

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person, who may be ferried across said river, and for each horse, ass, mule, ox, cow, sheep, hog, or other animals, cart[,] waggon, Buggy, gig, or other vehicle, and for freight, such rates of ferriage as may be established ^annually^ by the county commissioners Court of said Rock Island County from time to time. Provided that said rates shall be the ^see quote^ the rates of other ferries across said river in said county ^that such rates shall be reasonable^

Sec. 5. For the privileges herein granted the said John Willson his heirs and assigns shall pay into the county Treasury of said Rock Island County such annual tax as may be assessed by the county commissioners court of said County, not exceeding the sum of twenty dollars, and in default of the payment of said tax, the said Willson his heirs and assigns, shall forfeit the sum of thirty dollars, to be recovered in an action of debt in the name of said county before any Justice of the peace therein, subject to appeal as in other cases.

Sec. 6. The Legislature reserves the right to alter[,] amend[,] or repeal this act whenever the public good may require. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage.