IMPORTANT ACTS OF CONGRESS. dition to the several acts regulating the shipment | Mississippi rivers, and its northern terminus upon and discharge of seamen, and the duties of con- the Illinois and Michigan canal simultaneously, suls," approved July twentieth, eighteen hundred and continued from each of said points until comand forty, be so amended as that all complaints in pleted, when said branch roads shall be constructwriting to the consuls or commercial agents as ed, according to the survey and location thereof: therein provided, that a vessel is unseaworthy. Provided further, That the lands hereby granted shall be signed by the first, or the second and third shall be applied in the construction of said road officers, and majority of the crew, before the con- and branches respectively, in quantities correspondsul or commercial agent shall be authorized to no-ing with the grant for each, and shall be disposed tice such complaint, or proceed to appoint inspec-of only as the work progresses, and shall be ap tors as therein provided. plied to no other purpose whatsoever: And provi SECT. 7. And be it further enacted, That any per-ded, further, That any and all lands reserved to the son, not being an owner, who shall on the high seas United States by the act entitled, "An act to grant wilfully with intent to burn or destroy, set fire to a quantity of land to the State of Illinois, for the any ship or other vessel, or otherwise attempt the purpose of aiding in opening a canal to connect destruction of such ship or other vessel, being the the waters of the Illinois river with those of Lake property of any citizen or citizens of the United Michigan, approved March second, eighteen hunStates, or procure the same to be done, with the in-dred and twenty-seven," be and the same are tent aforesaid, and being thereof lawfully convict- hereby reserved to the United States from the oped, shall suffer imprisonment to hard labor, for aeration of this act. term not exceeding ten years nor less than three SECT. 3. And be it further enacted, That the secyears according to the aggravation of the offence. tions and parts of sections of land which, by such SECT. 8. And be it further enacted, That this act grant. shall remain to the United States, within six shall be in force from and after the first day of Oc-miles on each side of said road and branches, shall tober next ensuing. Approved July 29, 1860. Chicago and Mobile Railroad. AN ACT not be sold for less than double the minimum price of the public lands when sold. SEOT. 4. And be it further enacted, That the said lands hereby granted to the said States shall be subject to the disposal of the Legislature thereof, for the purposes aforesaid and no other; and the said Gauting the right of way, and making a grant of land to railroad and branches shall be and remain a public the States of Illinois, Mississippi, and Alabama, in aid of highway, for the use of the Government of the Unithe construction of a railroad from Chicago to Mobile. ted States, free from toll or other charge, upon the Be it enacted by the Senat and House of Represen-transportation of any property or troops of the tatives of the United States of America in Congress United States. assembled, That the right of way through the public lands be, and the same is hereby, granted to the State of Illinois for the construction of a railroad from the southern terminus of the Illinois and Michigan canal to a point at or near the junction of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, with a branch of the same to Chicago, on Lake Michigan, and another via the town of Galena in said State, to Dubuque in the state of Iowa, with the right also, to take necessary materials of earth, stones, timber, &c., for the construction thereof: Provided, That the right of way shall not exceed one hundred feet on each side of the length thereof, and a copy of the survey of said road and branches made under the direction of the Legislature shall be forwarded to the proper local land offices respectively, and to the General Land Office at Washington city, within ninety days after the completion of the same. SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That there be, and is hereby, granted to the State of Illinois for the purpose of aiding in making the railroad and branches aforesaid, every alternate section of land designated by even numbers, for six sections in width on each side of said road and branches; but in case it shall appear that the United States have, when the line or route of said road and branches is definitely fixed by the authority aforesaid, sold any part of any section hereby granted, or that the right of pre-emption has attached to the same, then it shall be lawful for any agent or agents to be appointed by the Government of said State, to select subject to the approval aforesaid from the lands of the United States most contiguous to the tier of sections above specified, so much land in alternate sections or parts of sections, as shall be equal to such lands as the United States have sold, or to which the right of pre-emption has attached as aforesaid, which lands being equal in quantity to one half of six sections in width on each side of said road and branches, the State of Illino's shall have and hold to and for the use and purpose aforesaid: Provided, That the lands to be so located shall in no case be further than fifteen miles from the line of the road: And further provided. The construction of said road shall be commenced at its southern terminus, at or near the junction of the Ohio and SECT. 5. And be it further enacted, That if the said railroad shall not be completed within ten years, the said State of Illinois shall be bound to pay to the United States the amount which may be received upon the sale of any part of said lands by said State, the title to the purchasers under said State remaining valid; and the title to the residue of said lands shall reinvest in the United States, to have and hold the same in the same manner as if this act had not been passed. SECT. 6. And be it further enacted, That the United States mail shall at all times be transported on the said railroad under the direction of the Postoffice Department, at such price as the Congress may by law direct. SECT. 7. And be it further enacted, That in order to Reduction of the Price of Mineral To reduce the minimum price of the Mineral Lands in the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Represen tatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the mineral lands in the Lake Superior district in Michigan, and in the Chippewa district in Wisconsin, shall be offered for public sale in the same manner, and be subject to the same minimum price, and the same rights of pre-emption, as the other public lands of the United States; whole of those swamp and overflowed lands, made unfit thereby for cultivation, which shall remain unsold at the passage of this act, shall be, and the. same are hereby, granted to said State. and such portions of the act of first of March, eignteen hundred and forty-seven, "to establish a land office in the northern part of Michigan, and to provide for the sale of the mineral lands in the State of Michigan, und of the act of the third March, eigh- SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be teen hundred and forty-seven, "to create an addi- the duty of the Secretary of the Interior, as soon tional land district in the Territory of Wisconsin, as may be practicable after the passage of this act, and for other purposes," as are inconsistent with to make out an accurate list and plats of the lands the provisions of this act, shall be, and the same are described as aforesaid, and transmit the same to hereby, repealed: Provided, however, That the right the Governor of the State of Arkansas; and at the given by those acts of first and third March, eigh-request of said Governor, cause a patent to be inteen hundred and forty-seven, to lessees, occupants, sued to the State therefor; and on that patent, and permittees, to enter to the extent of their leases the fee simple to said lands shall vest in the said and permits, and no less, shall not be considered as impaired by this act; but said lessees, occupants, and permittees, shall be authorized to enter the land covered by their leases, occupancy, and permits, respectively, as therein provided, at the minimum price fixed by this act. SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That the holder of a lease or permit covering more than one full section of the mineral lands, as aforesaid, shall be entitled, on the surrender and annulment of said lease or permit at the proper land office, to purchase, if he shall elect to do so, one full section, and no more, of the land covered by said lease or permit, at a minimum price of two dollars and fifty cents per acre. Approved September 26, 1850. Notaries Public. AN ACT To authorize notaries public to take and certify oaths, af-| firmations, and acknowledgments, in certain cases. State of Arkansas, subject to the disposal of the Legislature thereof: Provided, however, That the proceeds of said lands, whether from sale or by direct appropriation in kind, shall be applied, exclusively, as far as necessary, to the purpose of reclaiming said lands by means of the levees and drains aforesaid. SECT. 3. And be it further enacted, That, in making out a list and plats of the lands aforesaid, all legal subdivisions, the greater part of which is "wet and unfit for cultivation," shall be included in said list and plats; but when the greater part of a subdivision is not of that character, the whole br it shall be excluded therefrom. SECT. 4. And be it further enacted, That the provisions of this act be extended to, and their benefits be conferred upon, each of the other States of the Union in which such swamp and overflowed lande, known and designated as aforesaid, may be situated. Approved September 28, 1850. Granting the Franking Privilege to AN ACT Mrs. Margaret Smith Taylor, relict of Zachary Tay- Grinnell Exploring Expedition. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Represen tatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in all cases in which, under the laws of the United States, oaths, or affirmations, or ac- To grant the franking privilege to Mrs. Margaret S. Taylor. knowledgments, may now be taken or made before Be it enacted, &c., That the franking privilege hereany justice or justices of the peace of any State or tofore accorded to the widows of the deceased Territory, such oaths, affirmations, or acknowledg-Presidents, be, and the same is hereby, granted to ments, may be hereafter also taken or made by or before any notary public duly appointed in any State or Territory, and, when certified under the hand and official seal of such notary, shall have the same force and effect as if taken or made by or before such justice or justices of the peace. And all laws and parts of laws for punishing perjury, or subornation of perjury, committed in any such oaths or uflirmations when taken or made before any such justice of the peace shall apply to any such offence committed in any oaths or affirmations which may be taken under this act before a notary public, or commissioner, as hereinafter named: Provided al ways, That on any trial for either of these offences, the seal and signature of the notary shall not be deemed sufficient in themselves to establish the official character of such notary, but the same shall be shown by other and proper evidence. JOINT RESOLUTION Authorizing the President of the United States to accept and attach to the Navy, two vessels offered by Henry Grinneli, Esq., of New York, to be sent to the Aretic Seas in search of Sir Jolin Franklin and his companione. tatives of the United States of America in Congress Resolved by the Senate and Hoase of Represen assembled, That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to receive from Henry Grinnell of the city of New York the two vessels prepared by him for an expedition in search of Sir John Franklin and his companions; and to detail SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That all the cera and so many seamen, as may be necessary for from the navy such commissioned and warrant offipowers and authority conferred in, and by the pre- said expedition and who may be willing to engage ceding section of this act upon notaries public, be, therein. The said officers and men shall be furand the same are hereby vested in, and may be nished with suitable rations, at the discretion of the exercised by any commissioner appointed, or here- President, for a period not exceeding three years, after to be appointed, by any circuit court of the and shall have the use of such necessary instru United States, under any act of Congress author-ments as are now on hand and can be spared from izing the appointment of commissioners to take the navy, to be accounted for or returned by the bail, affidavits, or depositions, in causes pending in officers who shall receive the same. the courts of the United States. Approved September 16, 1850. SECT. 2. And be it further resolved, That the said vessels, officers, and men, shall be in all respects under the laws and regulations of the navy of the United States until their return, when the said vessels shall be delivered to the said Henry Grinnell: Provided, That the United States shall not be liable to claim for compensation in case of the loss, dam age, or deterioration of the said vessels, or either of them, from any cause or in any manner what ever, nor be liable to any demand for the use or risk of the said vessels or either of them. Approved May 2, 1850. Half Pay to Soldiers' Widows and JOINT RESOLUTION Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast, or any part of Central America, or of assuming or exercising dominion over the same; nor will the United States or Great Britain take advantage of any intiExplanatory of certain acts therein mentioned. macy, or use any alliance, connection or influence, Resolved by the Senate and House of Representa that either may possess with any State or governtives of the United States of America in Congress ment through whose territory the said canal may assembled, That the provisions of the second sec-pass, for the purpose of acquiring or holding, dition of the act entitled, "An act amending the act rectly or indirectly, for the citizens or subjects of entitled An act granting half-pay to widows or the one, any rights or advantages in regard to orphans where their husbands and fathers have commerce or navigation through the said canal died of wounds received in the military service which shall not be offered on the same terms to of the United States,'" approved July twenty-one, the citizens or subjects of the other. eighteen hundred and forty-eight, extended by the ART. II. Vessels of the United States or Great act of February twenty-two, eighteen hundred Britain traversing the said canal shall, in case of and forty-nine, shall be construed to embrace the war between the contracting parties, be exempted widows and orphans of all persons designated from blockade, detention, or capture, by either of therein, who died while in actual service in the the belligerents; and this provision shall extend to late war with Mexico, or in going to, and return-such a distance from the two ends of the said canal ing from the same; and also to the widows and as may hereafter be found expedient to establish. orphans of all such persons as, having been honor- ART. III. In order to secure the construction ef ably discharged, or having resigned, shall have the said canal, the contracting parties engage, that, died after the passage of said last-mentioned act, if any such canal shall be undertaken upon fair or who may hereafter die, of wounds received or from disease contracted while in said service: Provided, That the army rolls showing the death of any of said persons in the army, shall be sufficient evidence to establish that fact. Approved September 26, 1850. Nicaragua Ship Canal. Between the United States and Great Britain, concluded and equitable terms by any parties having the authority of the local government or governments through whose territory the same may pass, then the persons employed in making the said canal and their property used, or to be used for that object, shall be protected, from the commencement of the said canal to its completion, by the Governments of the United States and Great Britain, from unjust detention, confiscation, seizure, or any violence whatsoever. ART. IV. The contracting parties will use whatever influence they respectively exercise with any Whereas & Convention between the United States state, states, or governments, possessing, or claimof America and her Britannic Majesty, for facili-ing to possess, any jurisdiction or right over the tating and protecting the construction of a ship ca- territory which the said canal shall traverse, or nal between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and which shall be near the waters applicable thereto, for other purposes, was concluded and signed at in order to induce such states or governments to Washington, on the nineteenth day of April last, facilitate the construction of the said canal by every which Convention is, word for word, as follows: means in their power; and furthermore, the United Convention between the United States of America States and Great Britain agree to use their good and her Britannic Majesty.-The United States of offices, wherever or however it may be most exAmerica and her Britannic Majesty, being desirous pedient, in order to procure the establishment of of consolidating the relations of amity which so two free ports, one at each end of the said canal. happily subsist between them, by setting forth and ART. V. The contracting parties further engage fixing in a convention their views and intentious that, when the said canal shall have been comwith reference to any means of communication by pleted, they will protect it from interruption, seizship canal, which may be constructed between the ure, or unjust confiscation, and that they will guarAtlantic and Pacific oceans, by the way of the auty the neutrality thereof, so that the said canal river San Juan de Nicaragua, and either or both may for ever be open and free, and the capital of the lakes of Nicaragua or Managua, to any port invested therein, secure. Nevertheless, the Govor place on the Pacific ocean: the President of the ernments of the United States and Great Britain, United States has conferred full powers on John in according their protection to the construction M. Clayton, Secretary of State of the United States; of the said canal, and guarantying its neutrality and her Britannic Majesty on the Right Honorable and security when completed, always understand Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, a member of her Majes- that this protection and guaranty are granted conty's Most Honorable Privy Council, Knight Com-ditionally, and may be withdrawn by both governmander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, ments, or either government, if both governments, and Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo- or either government, should deem that the persons tentiary of her Britannic Majesty to the United or company undertaking or managing the same States, for the aforesaid purpose; and the said adopt or establish such regulations concerning the plenipotentiaries having exchanged their full pow-traffic thereupon as are contrary to the spirit and era, which were found to be in proper form, have agreed to the following articles: protection and guaranty without first giving six months' notice to the other. intention of this convention, either by making unfair discriminations in favor of the commerce of ARTICLE I. The Governments of the United States one of the contracting parties over the commerce and Great Britain hereby declare, that neither the of the other, or by imposing oppressive exactions one nor the other will ever obtain or maintain for or unreasonable tolls upon passengers, vessels, itself any exclusive control over the said ship ca- goods, wares, merchandise, or other articles. Neinal; agreeing that neither will ever erect or main-ther party, however, shall withdraw the aforesaid tain any fortifications commanding the same or in the vicinity thereof, or occupy, or fortify, or colonize, or assume or exercise any dominion over Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast, or any part of Central America; nor will either make use of any protection which either affords or may afford, or any alliance which either has or may have to or with any state or people, for the purpose of erecting or maintaining any such fortifica tions, or of occupying, fortifying, or colonizing ART. VI. The contracting parties in this convention engage to invite every state with which both or either have friendly intercourse to enter into stipulations with them similar to those which they have entered into with each other, to the end that all other states may share in the honor and advantage of having contributed to a work of such general interest and importance as the canal herein con ART. IX. The ratifications of this convention shall be exchanged at Washington within six months from this day, or sooner if possible. In faith whereof, we, the respective plenipotentiaries, have signed this convention, and have hereunto affixed our seals. templated. And the contracting parties likewise | zens and subjects of the United States and Great agree that each shall enter into treaty stipulations Britain on equal terms, shall also be open on like with such of the Central American states as they terms to the citizens and subjects of every other may deem advisable, for the purpose of more state which is willing to grant thereto such proeffectually carrying out the great design of this tection as the United States and Great Britain enconvention, namely, that of constructing and main-gage to afford. taining the said canal as a ship communication between the two oceans for the benefit of mankind, on equal terms to all, and of protecting the saine: and they also agree, that the good offices of either shall be employed, when requested by the other. in aiding and assisting the negotiation of such treaty stipulations: and should any differences arise as to right or property over the territory through which the said canal shall pass-between the states or governments of Central America,-and such dif ferences should, in any way, impede or obstruct the execution of the said canal, the Governments of the United States and Great Britain will use their good offices to settle such differences in the manner best suited to promote the interests of the said canal, and to strengthen the bonds of friendship and alliance which exist between the contracting parties. ART. VII. It being desirable that no time should be unnecessarily lost in commencing and construct ing the said canal, the Governments of the United States and Great Britain determine to give their support and encouragement to such persons or company as may first offer to commence the same, with the necessary capital, the consent of the local authorities, and on such principles as accord with the spirit and intention of this convention; and if any persons or company should already have, with any state through which the proposed ship canal may pass, a contract for the construction of such a canal as that specified in this convention, to the stipulations of which contract neither of the contracting parties in this convention have any just cause to object, and the said persons or company shall, moreover, have made preparations, and expended time, money, and trouble, on the faith of such contract, it is hereby agreed that such persons or company shall have a priority of claim, over every other person, persons, or company, to the protection of the Governments of the United States and Great Britain, and be allowed a year from the date of the exchange of the ratifications of this convention for concluding their arrangements, and presenting evidence of sufficient capital subscribed to accomplish the contemplated undertaking; it being understood that if, at the expiration of the aforesaid period, such persons or company be not able to commence and carry out the proposed enterprise, then the Governments of the United States and Great Britain shall be free to afford their protection to any other persons or company that shall be prepared to commence and proceed with the construction of the canal in question. ART. VIII. The Governments of the United States and Great Britain having not only desired, in entering into this convention, to accomplish a particular object, but also to establish a general principle, they hereby agree to extend their protection, by treaty stipulations, to any other practicable communications, whether by canal or railway. across the isthmus which connects North and South America, and especially to the inter-oceanic communications, should the same prove to be practicable, whether by canal or railway, which are now proposed to be established by the way of Tehuantepec or Panama. In granting, however, their joint protection to any such canals or railways as are by this article specified, it is always understood by the United States and Great Britain that the parties constructing or owning the same, shall impose no other charges or conditions of traffic thereupon than the aforesaid Governments shall approve of as just and equitable; and that the same canals or railways, being open to the citi | Done at Washington, the nineteenth day of HENRY LYTTON BULWER. ratified on both parts, and the respective ratificaAnd whereas, the said convention has been duly tions of the same were exchanged at Washington, on the fourth instant, by John M. Clayton, Secretary of State of the United States, and the Right Honerable Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, Envoy ExBritannic Majesty, on the part of their respective traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of her governments: Taylor, President of the United States of America, Now, therefore, be it known that Zachary have caused the said convention to be made public, to the end that the same, and every clause and article thereof, may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citizens thereof. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to [L. S.] be affixed. Done at the city of Washington, this fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty, and of the independence of the United States the seventy-fifth. Signed by the President: Z. TAYLOR. J. M. CLAYTON, Secretary of State. 100,000 197.749 30,000 200,000 50,000 50,090 50,000 50,000 186,000 17,300 25,000 Addition to Contingent Fund of House.......... do do.. 68,345 171,493 49,825 76,650 11,775 6,000 Appropriations for Fortifications, 12,600 11.000 79,077 59,700 47,500 34,700 179,278 249,759 Appropriations for Intercourse with Foreign Nations.. 380,397 Appropriations for Relief of American Seamen abroad... 125,000 Appropriations for Repairs in and about the Capitol.. 128,070 20,000 200,000 Repairs and Improvements in and about Appropriation for Extension of the Capitol 100,000 Incidental Expenses of Land Office.. 25,050 Fort Adams, Newport Harbor, R. Island.. Fort Monroe, Hampton Roads, Virginia... Fort Pulaski, Savannah River, Georgia.. 697,637 Repairs of Fort Scammel, Portland, Maine Fortifications at Governor's Island, Boston. Massachusetts... 5.000 20,000 72,735 17.715 15,000 For Customhouse at Bath, Maine.. For continuation of Cust'mhouse at Charleston, S. Carolina 25,000 100,000 1,116,000 For Surveys of the Coast of the U. States.. 256,000 For the completion of the Eastern Wing of the Patent Office.... For Documentary History, 2d and 3d volumes, 5th series... 110,000 35,000 For expenses of running Boundary be- For the publication of Exploring Expedi- For Miscellaneous Appropriations...... Total Appropriations...... 30,000 Total appropriations for defensive works. $719,800 Provisions for officers and seamen.. 25,000 Furnishing surgeons in the Navy. 263,407 Repair and wear of vessels, and purchase of hemp... $7,613.306 Ordnance, ordnance stores, small arms, and incidental expenses... Appropriations for the War Depart-Purchase and repairs of nautical instrum'ts Pay of superintendents, naval constructors, &c... .$2,758,262 73.980 86,200 86,800 1,750,000 196,900 10,500 |