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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1850 edition. Excerpt: ...road is really made and intended for his own use, he would have a right to receive compensation for the license. But if the road is made for the use of the public, or one already existing so appropriated, with the intention to derive toll from a public use, such a franchise cannot be established without authority from the government. A partial and limited use by the owner himself, in concurrence with the public, could not alter the real nature of the franchise. So also a person may make a canal and locks, to improve the navigation of a private river for his own use, and receive compensation for the use of them by others; but if the great and paramount object is public and not private use, to obtain tolls or profit from the public, such a course cannot be pursued without a charter from the legislature. Unless so plain a distinction is observed, it would be easy for any one to establish a lucrative franchise, without application to the proper authorities; and numerous evils and impositions would flow from such assumptions, on the part of individuals claiming such powers, which would be restrained only by their own interest or will. The present case is a fit illustration of the wisdom of the law, in establishing the principle under consideration. The plaintiff caused a band of fifty men to march many miles, for the purpose of preventing, by force of arms, the use of the channel without the payment of a toll, which he has established, thus endangering the public peace, and the lives of those who might enter into the conflict. And the defendants, to save their property, which would have been worthless unless it could have been got to market, were under the necessity of entering into the contract prescribed by the plaintiff, not only to pay the...