Chap. 548.—An ACT to give consent of the state of Virginia to the purchase
or acquisition of the government of the United States of so much land as
may be necessary for a public building in the city of Portsmouth, and
giving the city the power to sell the same for purpose mentioned.

Approved February 26, 1900.

Whereas there is now pending before the congress of the United
States an act authorizing the erection of a public building in the city
of Portsmouth, for the use and accommodation of the post-office, inter-
nal revenue office, and for other governmental uses; and

Whereas should the said act become a law, it will be necessary for
the government to acquire so much land in the city of Portsmouth as
may be necessary for that purpose; and

Whereas by reason of an act of the general assembly of Virginia,
approved February twentieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-two, the
city of Portsmouth has become the sole owner of a lot, piece or parcel of
land located at the southeast corner of High and Washington streets, in
said city, which would be an eligible site for said public building; there-
ore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the con-
sent of the state of Virginia is hereby given and granted to the pur-
chase or acquisition by the government of the United States, or under
the authority of the same, of so much land as may be requisite and
convenient for a site for a public building for the use and accommoda-
tion for the post-office, internal revenue office, and for other govern-
mental uses in the city of Portsmouth, state of Virginia.

2. That the state of Virginia cedes to the United States exclusive
jurisdiction over the site so purchased or acquired, and over the build-
ing or buildings which may be erected thereon during the time the
United States shall be or remain the owner thereof, and no longer, for
all purposes except the administration of the criminal laws of the state
and the service of civil process therein.

3. The land so acquired, together with the buildings and appurte-
nances for the purpose above mentioned, shall be held exempt from all
state and municipal taxation so long as the United States shall be and
remain owner thereof.

4. The council of the city of Portsmouth is hereby authorized and
empowered to sell, grant and convey, by deed executed by the president
of said council, with the corporate seal of said city thereto affixed,
attested by the citv clerk, to the government of the United States,
should the United States desire to purchase the same, as a site for said
public building, the lot, piece or parcel of land located at the southeast
corner of High and Washington streets, in said city; it being the same
that was formerly owned jointly by the city of Portsmouth and Norfolk
county, the interest of the said county having been conveyed to the said
city by authority of an act of the general assembly, approved February
twentieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-two.

5. This act shall be in force from its passage.