Thames Navigation Act 1623
| Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
| Citation | 1623 c. 32 |
(21 Ja. 1) C A P. XXXII.
'WHEREAS the Clearing and Effecting of a Passage for Barges, Boats and Lighters, by the River ofThames , to the University and City of Oxon , will be very convenient for Conveyance of Free-Stone, commonly called Oxford Stone, or Heddington Stone, from Bullington Quarry, near the said City and River of Thames , by the said Passage, to the City of London and other Parts, and most profitable and necessary to and for the said University and City of Oxon , for Conveyance thereby of Coals, Fuel and other Necessaries, to the said University and City, whereof there is now very great Scarcity and Want, and far greater hereafter like to grow, if some Help therefore be not made and provided: (2) And also the said Passage will be very behoveful for preserving of the Highways leading to and from the said University and City, and other Parts thereabouts, which now by continual Carriages by Carts are so worn and broken, that in Winter Season they are for Travellers dangerous, and hardly to be amended and continued passable without exceeding Charge: (3) And whereas the said River of Thames , for many Miles beyond the said City of Oxford , Westward, is already navigable and passable for Boats of good Burthens and Contents, and likewise is already navigable for Barges from London , to the Village of Bercot in the County of Oxford , being within six or seven Miles of the City of Oxford , whither and from whence, by the Carriage of Stone, Iron and other Provision, by Carts, the Highways are spoiled, as aforesaid: (4) And whereas the said River may easily be made passable and navigable for Barges, Boats or Lighters, between the aforesaid University and City of Oxford and the Village of Bercot aforesaid, by removing some Lets and Impediments, by which Means the said University and City of Oxford shall be greatly relieved and helped:' (5) Be it therefore ordained and enacted by the King's Majesty,the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal ofEngland for the Time being, at any Time after the End of this present Session of Parliamnent, shall and may, at the Request of the Chancellor of the said University, or his Vice-Chancellor, for the Time being, appoint and authorise by Commission under the Great Seal of England eight Commissioners, whereof four to be of or for the University aforesaid, to be chosen by the said Chancellor of the said University, or his Vice-Chancellor, for the Time being, and by them or either of them to be nominated and certified to the aforesaid Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England , and four to be of or for the City of Oxon , to be chosen and nominated by the Mayor, Bailiffs and Commonalty of the said City of Oxford for the Time being, and to be certified by them as aforesaid; (6) which said Commissioners or the more Part of them shall have full Power to cleanse, scowre, open and make navigable the said River of Thames , from the said City of Oxon to the Village of Bercot aforesaid, and for that Purpose to dig the Banks of the said River or other Ground, Ditch, Brook...
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