It also appears, that in the year 1734, three thousand acres of land were granted by the Legislature, to be equally divided among the towns of Newton, Cambridge and Lexington, as a consideration for their support of said Bridge.

In 1781, on the application of Newton, the Legislature released that town from its obligation to contribute towards the support of said Bridge. The reasons for said release, as set forth in the act were, that since the burden had been imposed, five other bridges had been built over Charles River, of which that town had to support the parts lying within its limits, see vol. 1, page 15, Special Laws. In that act no provision was made for the support of the third part the expense of said Bridge, from which Newton had been released, and the whole devolved on Cambridge, or on Cambridge and Lexington. From that time to the present, Lexington has paid to Cambridge for the support of said Bridge, her proportion, with Cambridge (including Brighton and West Cambridge since they were set off,) of the whole expense, according to the State Tax, instead of her proportion of two thirds, as before the release of Newton.

Until the erection of the bridges connecting Boston with Charlestown and Cambridge, the road over the Bridge in question, was the only way to Boston, except by the Ferry in Charlestown, for the inhabitants of Lexington and that part of Cambridge lying northerly of the river, and was important to these towns in their intercourse with Boston. But since the erection of Charles River and West Boston and Canal Bridges, the Bridge in question has been of no use to said inhabitants as a way to Boston, since the establishment of a

4

road and bridge from Brighton to the southeasterly part of Cambridge, called Cambridgeport, about twenty-three years ago it is also of less use as a way to Boston for the inhabitants of Brighton.

It appears, that in February 1807, the northerly part of Cambridge was incorporated into a distinct town, by the name of West Cambridge, and at the same time, that the southerly part of Cambridge was incorporated into a distinct town by the name of Brighton. In the acts incorporating these towns, passed on the 24th and 27th of February, 1807, a like provision is inserted, that each of said towns should thereafter bear its proportion with Cambridge, according to the State Valuation, of the charge then resting on Cambridge, of supporting said Bridge. And it was admitted by the parties, that this provision as it regarded West Cambridge, was in pursuance of terms agreed upon by Committees of the towns appointed for that purpose. Since that time Canal Bridge from Cambridge to Boston has been made, and the bridge above referred to, from Brighton to Cambridgeport and East Cambridge. Charles River divides the towns of Cambridge and Brighton, and these towns, together with Lexington, and West Cambridge, are now by law bound to the maintenance of the Bridge. in question. The inhabitants of the towns of Cambridge, West Cambridge and Lexington, living on the northerly side of the river, have no use of this Bridge, except in passing to, or through Brighton.

To the inhabitants of East Cambridge and Cambridgeport, making a large part of the town of Cambridge, it must be of less use than to the old part of the town.

A new road has recently been laid out in the southerly part of West Cambridge, higher up, and crosses the river to Brighton, through Watertown, and was built by West Cambridge, at an expense already incurred of $1,500, which it is stated, affords to all the inhabitants of that town living near the centre, or above it, a nearer way to Brighton than the old road over the Bridge in question, by more than a mile This fact is urged as an additional reason for releasing West Cambridge from any charge for its support.

It appears that the causeway over the marshes leading to the Bridge in question, of about forty-five rods in length, has always been supported by Cambridge.

All which is respectfully submitted.

In the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Three.

AN ACT

To exempt the town of West Cambridge from their liability to keep up and support their proportion of the Old Bridge, so called, over Charles River, between Cambridge and Brighton.

Whereas, In the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, the present town of West Cambridge, which was formerly a part of Cambridge, was separated therefrom and made a distinct town, on the terms and conditions that said West Cambridge should bear a proportion of the expense of supporting the Old Bridge, so called, over Charles River, between Cambridge and the town of Brighton;-and the said Bridge is remote from the territorial limits of West Cambridge, which town has long since ceased to have any interest in said Bridgetherefore,

1

BE it enacted by the Senate and House 2 of Representatives in General Court assembled, and 3 by the authority of the same, That the fifth section of 4 the Act, entitled "An Act to divide the town of 5 Cambridge, and to incorporate the Westerly Parish 6 therein as a separate town, by the name of West 7 Cambridge," passed on the twenty seventh day of 8 February, A. D. 1807, which section is in the words 9 following-" That the said town of West Cambridge 10 shall be held to keep up and support their proportion 11 of the old Bridge, over Charles River, between the 12 first and third Parishes of Cambridge, which propor13 tion shall be ascertained from time to time by the 14 State valuation," be and the same is hereby repealed.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

In the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-Three.

AN ACT

To exempt the town of Lexington from their liability to contribute to the support of the Bridge over Charles River, between the towns of Cambridge and Brighton, heretofore called "the Great Bridge over Charles River, in the town of Cambridge."

Whereas, In the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and ninety nine, by an Act of the Legislature, the town of Cambridge was made liable to sustain two third parts of the expense of maintaining the Bridge named in the title of this Act; and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twelve, that part of the town of Cambridge which now constitutes the town of Lexington, was set off from the town of Cambridge and made a distinct town by the name of Lexington; and the said town of Lexington was in and by