Chap. 0035 AN ACT FOR BUILDING AND MAINTAINING A LIGHTHOUSE OR HOUSES ON THATCHER'S ISLAND [OR] [ON] THE MAINLAND OF CAPE ANN. 
Whereas the headland of Cape Ann projects itself into the main ocean in such manner as to form two deep bays ; one, to the northward, commonly called Ipswich Bay, and another, to the southward, called the Massachusetts, or, more commonly, Boston Bay ; that there are two very dangerous ledges of rocks which lay off from the headland, which, for want of some guide, frequently prove fatal to vessels ; and it being generally thought that a lighthouse, or houses, erected on Thatcher's Island, or the mainland of Cape Ann, would be very serviceable to the navigation and commerce of this province, and be a means of preserving the lives and estates of a great number of his majesty's subjects, by directing the distressed, in stormy and tempestuous weather, into a safe harbour ; therefore, —
Be it enacted by the Governor, Council and House of Representatives, [Sect. 1.] That there be a lighthouse or houses erected at the charge of the province, either on Thatcher's Island or the mainland of Cape Ann (as shall appear most convenient to a committee appointed by this court), to be kept lighted from sun-setting to sun-rising ; that from and after the building of the said lighthouse or houses, and kindling a light or lights therein, there shall be paid to the receiver of impost, by the masters of all ships and vessels belonging to .or entering any of the harbours in the province, to whom the said light shall be useful, the like duty or light-money as, by an act of this province, passed in the first year of King George the First, intit[w]lcd "An Act for building and maintaining a lighthouse upon the Great Brewster, called Beacon Island, at the entrance of the harbour of Boston," the ships and vessels entering into or going out of the harbour of Boston
are held to pay; and in case any vessels belonging to any of the harbours above referred to shall arrive at the harbour of Boston, and there pay the light-money to the impost officer, the said officer to give his certificate to his deputies that he has received the said light-money, so that it shall not be demanded again. And be it enacted,
[Sect. 2.] That the commissioner or receiver of impost be and hereby is [e] [i]mpowered, by himself,or his deputy by him appointed, to receive the said duties, and to recover the same, and give a certificate therefor, in the same way and manner as by the aforerecited act is provided.
And be it further enacted,
[Sect. 3.] That no ship or vessel belonging to the aforesaid ports (coasters excepted) shall be cleared by the naval officer, until a certificate be produced that the duty of the lighthouse be paid ; and the ship or vessel, with the master, shall stand charged with the duty thereof till paid to the commissioner of impost.
And be it further enacted,
[Sect. 4.] That the person appointed by this court to keep the said lighthouse, or houses, shall be under the same rules and directions with respect to his duty, and also under the same penalty for neglecting the same, and the fines shall be recovered in the same way and manner, as in and by the aforerecited act is provided.
And be it further enacted,
[Sect. 5.J That a committee of this court be appointed to build the said lighthouse, or houses, of such dimensions, and in such manner, as they may be directed by the said court. [Pass°d and published April 2G, 1771.