Every ferryman shall give constant and diligent attendance at his ferry and shall not deny or unreasonably delay carrying over any passenger, horse, cattle, carriage, or goods; and all passengers shall be received into the ferryboat and carried over the ferry in the order of their arrival, or first coming to the ferry. Any ferryman offending against this provision shall forfeit the sum of ten dollars for every offense, and shall be liable to an action for damages at the suit of the party aggrieved; but a ferryman shall not be obliged to pass the ferry when it appears to be dangerous to do so on account of a storm or freshet. All public officers and such as go on public and urgent occasions - as posts, expresses, physicians, and the like - shall be carried over first, or with the first.