The terms of the cession
sufficiently manifest that they were free-will offerings of such forts
and sites as belonged to the State; and public functionaries were bound
to know that, by the United States law of March 20, 1794, it was
provided "that no purchase shall be made where such lands are the
property of a State."--(Act to provide for the defense of certain ports
and harbors of the United States.)
The stipulations made by Virginia, in ceding the ground for Fortress
Monroe and the Rip Raps, on the 1st of March, 1821, are as follows:
"_An Act ceding to the United States the lands on Old Point
Comfort, and the shoal called the Rip Raps._
"_Whereas_, It is shown to the present General Assembly that the
Government of the United States is solicitous that certain lands
at Old Point Comfort, and at the shoal called the Rip Raps,
should be, with the right of property and entire jurisdiction
thereon, vested in the said United States for the purpose of
fortification and other objects of national defense:
"1. _Be it enacted by the General Assembly_, That it shall be
lawful and proper for the Governor of this Commonwealth, by
conveyance or deeds in writing under his hand and the seal of
the State, to transfer, assign, and make over unto the said
United States the right of property and title, as well as all
the jurisdiction which this Commonwealth possesses over the
lands and shoal at Old Point Comfort and the Rip Raps:.
Pages:
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345