Part 4, Note 55

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Gammel, comp., The Laws of Texas 1822-1897, vol. 3, p. 1478; Texas Monument, February 22, 1854, June 14, 1854, July 14, 1854, August 1, 1854, August 8, 1854, August 15, 1854; Samuel G. Powell, Milam District Scrip File 484, Archives and Records Division, Texas General Land Office, Austin; Galveston Weekly News, May 26, 1857; Annual Report of Steamboat Inspections for 1859, Fourth Supervising District (RG 41), National Archives, Washington. The law allowed land grants to persons who built seagoing vessels, whether they were propelled by steam or not, and to persons who built steamboats to operate in a river, lake or bay, but stipulated that the vessels had to be of a certain minimum size. The Betty Powell met the minimum, coming in at 166.85 tons by custom house measurement.