Chap. 147.—An ACT giving the consent of this state to the purchase by the
United States of certain real estate in the county of Norfolk and exempting
the same from taxation.

Approved January 27, 1896.

Whereas it has been represented to the general assembly that it
may be desirable for the United States to acquire by purchase, a
piece or parcel of land in Norfolk county, on the Elizabeth river,
immediately opposite to the Gosport navy-yard, known as “Cedar
Grove,” for the construction of a wet dock, and for naval pur
poses :

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That th:
consent of this commonwealth be, and is hereby, given to said pur
chase; and when the same shall have been made, jurisdiction i:
hereby ceded to the government of the United States, so that con.
gress and the authorities of the federal government shall have
all lawful power and control over and in the same, as is specified ir
seventeenth clause of the eighth section of the first article of the
constitution of the United States; provided, however, that the con.
sent herein given, shall not extend to the purchase or acquisition of
more than sixty acres of land for the purposes aforesaid; and pro-.
vided, further, that the state retains junisdiction over the same, in al]
matters relating to the violation of the laws of this state, to the
execution and service of all processes 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 ta
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 forthe purpose
therein designated, within four years from the passage of this act,
then this act shall cease to be of any force or 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 Norfolk county, so
long as the same ghall be held and used by the general government
for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned, and no longer.

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