Sec[Section] 1 Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois represented in the General Assembly. That Lester Barker[,] Alanson House[,] and their associates, be, and they are hereby authorised to construct, build[,] and continue a Mill dam across Fox River, at, or near the head of the big Woods in the County of Kane between the lands held by them to the heighth of seven feet above low water mark: Also another Dam across a Slough within three fourths of a mile below the above mentioned dam on the west side of said River between lands held by them, to the heighth of Eight feet above the surface of the Slough Provided said grants shall not be construed so as to prevent the state from improving said Fox River, at those places, by Dams, Locks, or in any other way at any time hereafter, for the purpose of slack-water navigation or otherwise. This act shall take Effect from and after its passage.