Chap. 51.—An ACT to authorize the United States government to purchase lands
on the south branch of the Elizabeth river, adjoining the Gosport navy yard.

Approved Jannary 12, 1898.

Whereas it has been represented to the general assembly of Virginia,
that it may be desirable for the United States to acquire, by purchase,
certain lands in the county of Norfolk, on the southern branch of the

‘lizabeth river, on the south of and contiguous to the Gosport navy
yard, for the purpose of enlarging and improving said navy yard, for
the construction of wet docks and other naval purposes; therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That the con-
sent of this commonwealth be, and is hereby, given to said purchase,
and when the same shall have been made, jurisdiction is hereby ceded
to the government of the United States, so that congress and the authori
ties of the Federal government shall have all lawful power and contro
over, and in the same as is specified in’ the seventeenth clause of the
eighth section of the first article of the constitution of the United States
provided, however, that the consent herein given shall not extend to thi
purchase or acquisition of more than three hundred acres of land fo
the purposes aforesaid; and provided further, that the state retain:
jurisdiction over the same in all matters relating to the violation of the
laws of the state, to the execution and service of all processes issued by
or from the courts, magistrates, or other state officers in pursuance o
law, and in all other matters not incompatible with the consent hereu
given, and the rightful authority of the United States thereby acquired.
or to be acquired under this act.

2. That the said real estate, and the buildings, structures, doeks, o
improvements that may be erected thereon by the United States govern
ment, are hereby exempted from any tax to be imposed hy this state, 0
the constituted authorities of Norfolk county, so long as the same shal
be held and used by the genera] government for the purpose hereinhefors
mentioned, and no longer.

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