Sec.[Section] 1^st Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly. That Samuel M. Bowman, his heirs, executors or assigns be, and they are hereby authorised to build a dam across Rock river, on the Upper Rappids of said river, (which are in Whitesides County and State of Illinois) for the purpose of improving the navigation of said river, which dam shall be constructed with a suitable Lock, with a chamber not less than one hundred and forty by thirty Eight feet, so as to admit of the passage of all boats and crafts used in navigating said river.

Sec. 2^d And, it shall be the duty of the said Samuel M. Bowman, his heirs, executors or assigns, to file good and sufficient bonds with security, in the office of the Board of Public Works to be approved by the said Board, or their successor or successors in office, for the completion of said dam within four years from the first day of June AD 1841;—and further to keep an exact account of the cost of said Work, which, when completed, said account shall be filed in the office of the said Board of Public Works; and it shall be lawful for the State of Illinois, at any time within four years from and after the passage of this act, to take possession of said work by paying to the proper owner or owners thereof, the cost of the same with the interest at the rate of six per centum per annum; Provided, however, that said state shall in that case keep said dam & Lock in good repair continually after taking possession of the same.

Sec. 3^d And when said dam and Lock are completed suitable for the passage of boats drawing three feet of water, then it shall be lawful for the said Samuel M. Bowman, his heirs,

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executors or assigns, or by his or their agent, to demand and receive from the owner or owners, master or agent of all vessels barges, boats or other crafts entering the said Lock, the following rates of toll, to be paid in lawful money of the United States, which rates of toll shall be posted up in some conspicuous place at or near said Lock—To wit:—For Steam Boats, barges or Keelboats, forty cents per Ton, United States measurement:—For eac[h] flat-boat less than forty-five feet long—three dollars:—For each flat-boat more than forty five feet long & less than ninety feet long—five dollars; For each raft of timber, plank or other timber—four dollars for Every sixty feet in length and twenty feet in width; Provided that said Lock be kept in good repair and be suitably tended so as not to detain any boat or craft unnecessarily in passing through the same.

Sec. 4. And the said Samuel M. Bowman, his heirs, executors or assigns shall have the sole right to use the water-powe[r] that may be created by the construction of said dam, and it shall not be lawful for any other person or persons, company, state or corporation whatsoever, at any time, to take out of the pool created by said dam the water for purposes of propelling any machinery whatsoever, unless the right to do the same be first obtained from the said Samuel M. Bowman his heirs, executors or assigns.

Sec. 5 And it shall be lawful for the said Samuel M Bowman his heirs, executors or assigns, to use the loose earth and rock which have been excavated under the supervision of the Board of Public Works, on the said Rappids; Provided, that the value of the same be first ascertained, by three disinterested house holders, who shall be summoned for that purpose by [any?] acting Justice of the Peace in and for Whitesides County, who shall make out said valuation in writing, which shall be filed with the account of the cost of said dam and

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Lock, as herein before provided, which amount so ascertained shall be considered a part payment in case the State of Illinois takes possession of said work as herein provided.

Sec. 6 This act to take effect from and after its passage.