Chap. 23.An ACT giving the consent of the state to the purchase by
the United States of certain real estate in Norfolk county, and exempt-
ing the same from taxation.

Approved January 16, 1886.

_ Whereas it has been represented to the general assembly that
it may be desirable for the United States to acquire by pur-
chase a piece or parcel of land in Norfolk county, on the Eliza-
beth river, immediately adjoining the navy-yard, on the south
side thereof, known as Herberton, for the purpose of extending
the boundaries of the said navy-yard, and for naval purposes:

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
the consent of this commonwealth be and is hereby given to said
purchase ; and, when the same shall have been made, jurisdic-
tion is hereby ceded to the government of the United States, so
that congress and the authorities of the federal government
shall have all lawful power and control 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: pro-
vided, however, that the consent herein given shall not extend
beyond the tract of land herein mentioned, and containing two
hundred and fifteen acres, more or less: and provided further,
that the state retains jurisdiction over the same in all matters
relating to the violations of the laws of this state; to the exe-
cution and service of all process issued by or from the courts,
magistrates, or other state officers, in pursuance of law; and in
all other matters not incompatible with the consent herein
given and the rightful authority of the United States thereby
acquired or to be acquired under this act. | |

2. If the government of the United States shall fail to make
the purchase specified in the preceding section, and for the pur-
pose therein designated, within four years from the passage of
this act, then this act shall’ cease to be of any force and effect,
and the full, complete, and undivided jurisdiction over the
same shall revert to and vest in this commonwealth, as if it had
not been passed. |

3. The said real estate, and the buildings or structures that
may be erected thereon, are hereby exempted from any tax to
be imposed by this state, or the constituted authorities of Nor-
folk county, so long as the same shall be held and used by the
general government for the purpose hereinbefore mentioned,
and no longer. .

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