Whereas, the federal government has allocated to the State of Mississippi for the construction of the Natchez Trace Parkway several millions of dollars; and

Whereas, said Natchez Trace Parkway is to be a paved highway of scenic beauty and of great value to the State of Mississippi; and

Whereas, by Sections 55-5-1 through 55-5-17, and Sections 55-13-3 through 55-13-11, the state highway commission and the counties through which the Natchez Trace is to run were authorized to acquire by purchase or condemnation the right-of-way necessary for the Natchez Trace highway, parkway and scenic public parks, and to pay for such right-of-way in the proportion of one-half by the several counties and one-half by the State Highway Commission; and

Whereas, the State Highway Commission by order on its minutes has declared that it will expend not in excess of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) for the purchase of its part of such right-of-way; and

Whereas, it is necessary under the rules and regulations of the federal government that this right-of-way be obtained and paid for by the State of Mississippi and conveyed by warranty deed to the United States of America prior to the expenditure of any federal funds for the construction of said trace;

Now, therefore, in order to carry out the regulations and rules of the federal government, and in order that the benefit of the federal government’s financial assistance may be realized for this work, the following additional powers, rights and duties are hereby conferred upon the State Highway Commission and the several counties through which said trace is to run, and Sections 55-13-17 through 55-13-29 are hereby enacted.