Chap. 75.—An ACT to incorporate the Richmond and Chesapeake
Ruilroad Company.

Approved February 7, 1884.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
A. Y. Stokes, Thomas W. McCance, C. E. Belvin, 8. G. Tins-
ley, H. N. Price, A. L. Johnston, James B. Pace, and Joseph
A. Roane, or any five of them, their associates and successors,
are hereby constituted a body, politic and corporate, by the
name of the Richmond and Chesapeake railroad company,
und as such may have all the privileges, franchises, and im-
munities applicable to such a corporation.

2. The said company may construct and operate a railroad
from the city of Richmond to a point on the Chesapeake bay,
near the mouth of the Potomac river, passing through the
counties of Henrico, Hanover, King William, King & Queen,
Essex. Richmond, Westmoreland and Northumberland, and
may build branch lines not exceeding ten miles in length, to
any mineral or other land that may be owned by said cor-
poration, or to any furnace, manufactory, or any public im-
provement.

3. The capital stock of said company shall not be less than
one hundred thousand dollars, nor more than one million dol-
lars, except as hereinafter provided, divided into shares of one
hundred dollars each. The stockholders shall have a right
to increase said capital stock beyond the said one million dol-
lars. but not to exceed six million dollars, by a two-thirds
vote in a general meeting of stockholders. Stockholders shall
be entitled to one vote for each share of stock.

4. The said company may acquire by contract, lease, pur-
chase, or consolidation, the property and franchise of any
connecting company, which is not a parallel or competing
line, upon such terms as may be mutually agreed upon; it
shall have the power and right in like manner to transfer its
franchises and property by sale, lease, or consolidation, to any
connecting company incorporated under the laws of Virginia,
which is not a parallel or competing line.

5. It shall be lawful for said company to borrow money, to
issue bonds, and other evidences of debt, and to secure the
payment of the same by mortgages, deed of trust or other-
wise.

6. The said corporation shall have its principal office in
Virginia, and may have a general office in such place without
the state, as the stockholders may designate.

7. The said road shall be commenced in two years, and
completed in ten years from the passage of this act.

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