[No. 75.] Joint Resolution in Reference to the Dismal Swamp Canal Company. WHEREAS the United States are interested in the Dismal Swamp Canal, connecting the inland waters of the Chesapeake with the sounds of North Carolina, by holding eight hundred shares of the stock of the Dismal Swamp Canal Company; and whereas the canal should be kept open as a navigable highway without further outlay on the part of the United States: Therefore, July 25, 1866. Preamble. The stock of the United and how. Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treas- States in the ury be, and hereby is, authorized to sell said stock at auction, or otherwise, Disinal Swamp in such manner as will best protect the interest of the United States in Canal to be sold, said canal, and will insure that the same will be kept open as such navigable highway, without further expense to the government: Provided, That the instruments and papers effecting such sale, in the manner aforesaid, shall be approved by the Attorney-General before the delivery thereof. APPROVED, July 25, 1866. Proviso. [No. 76.] Joint Resolution authorizing the Commissioner of Public Buildings to employ July 25, 1866. three additional Watchmen in the Smithsonian Grounds. Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the commissioner of pub- Additional lic buildings and grounds be, and the same is hereby, authorized to employ three additional watchmen for the Smithsonian grounds. APPROVED, July 25, 1866. watchmen for Smithsonian grounds. [No. 77.] A Resolution to authorize the Purchase for the Library of Congress of the Law July 25, 1866. Library of James L. Petigru, of South Carolina. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the joint committee on the library be, and they are hereby, authorized to purchase the law library belonging to the estate of the late James Louis Petigru, for the use of the library of Congress; and the sum of five thousand dollars is hereby appropriated, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry into effect the purpose of this resolution, to be paid only to the use of the widow of the said Petigru. APPROVED, July 25, 1866. Law library of James Louis Petigru to be bought for the library of ConAppropriation. gress. [No. 79.] A Resolution manifesting the Sense of Congress towards the Officers and Seamen July 26, 1866. of the Vessels, and others, engaged in the Rescue of the Officers and Soldiers of the Army, the Passengers, and the Officers and Crew of the Steamship San Francisco, from perishing with the Wreck of that Vessel. testimonials of national grati Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United Gold medals to States be requested to procure three valuable gold medals, with suitable be presented, as devices, one to be presented to Captain Creighton, of the ship Three Bells, tude for the of Glasgow; one to Captain Low, of the bark Kilby, of Boston; and one rescue of the to Captain Stouffer, of the ship Antar[c]tic, as testimonials of national passengers, offigratitude for their gallant conduct in rescuing about five hundred Ameri- cers, and men of the wrecked cans from the wreck of the steamship San Francisco; and that the cost steamship San of the same be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise ap- Francisco. propriated. master of the SEC. 2. And be it further resolved, That the sum of seven thousand Reward of five hundred dollars each is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the $7500 to each treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the above-named captains respec- vessels partici tively, as a reward of their humanity and heroism in the rescue of the sur- pating in the rescue. vivors of said wreck, and in case either of the said captains may have died, then the amount hereby appropriated shall be paid to the widow of said deceased captain respectively; if no widow surviving then to the respective child or children of such deceased captain; and in the event of their being no child or children of such deceased captain surviving, then the amount hereby appropriated shall be paid first to the father, or, if the father be not living, then to the mother of such deceased captain respectively. SEC. 3. And be it further resolved, That there shall be paid to each mate of the three above-named vessels the sum of five hundred dollars, and to each man and boy the sum of one hundred dollars, and in case of the death of the respective mate or mates, or men and boys, that the said respective sums shall be paid in the same way and under the same conditions as the payment is to be made in case of the death of the respective captains. APPROVED, July, 26, 1866. July 26, 1856. [No. 80.] A Resolution to authorize the Use of certain Plates of the United States Exploring Expedition by the Navy Department. The use of Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the joint committee on certain engraved the library be authorized and instructed to grant to the navy department plates of the the use of such of the engraved plates of the United States Exploring Exploring Expe- Expedition under Captain Wilkes, now in charge of said committee, as may be desired for the purpose of printing a supply of charts for the use of said department. United States dition to be granted to the Navy Depart ment. APPROVED, July 26, 1866. July 26, 1866. [No. 81.] A Resolution for the Benefit of the Illinois Soldiers' College and Military Academy. Cots and bedding for five hundred persons granted to the Illinois Soldiers' College, &c. for use of free stu dents therein, disabled by the war. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War be authorized to transfer to the Illinois Soldiers' College and Military Academy, from the surplus on hand and not needed for the public service, cots and bedding necessary to accommodate five hundred persons for the use of free students in said institution disabled by the war. APPROVED, July 26, 1866. July 26, 1866. [No. 82.] A Resolution authorizing the Payment of certain Claims against the late Territory of Nevada. Payment of certain claims against the late Territory of Nevada Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, to enable the Secretary of the Treasury to settle and pay outstanding claims duly examined and allowed, and properly chargeable to the contingent expenses of the executive department of the Territory of Nevada, so much of the unexpended balance of the appropriation for "compensation and mileage of members of the Legislative Assembly, &c., of the Territory of Nevada," as may be found necessary for that purpose, be, and the same is hereby, transferred to the credit of the fund for paying the contingent expenses of the executive department of that Territory, and that the proper accounting officers of the treasury are hereby authorized and directed, out of the said balance, hereby directed to be transferred, to pay the claims so adjusted and allowed. APPROVED, July 26, 1866. July 26, 1866. See Post, p. 567. A general customs revenue mitted to Con gress. [No. 83.] A Resolution to provide for Codifying the Laws relating to the Customs. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to cause to be law to be preprepared and submitted to Congress at its next session, under the direc- pared and subtion of one member of the Senate and one member of the House of Representatives, each to be appointed by the presiding officer of the body to which he belongs, a general customs revenue law, designed to supersede all other laws on that subject, and embracing all necessary provisions for regulating the foreign and coasting trades, the assessment and collection of duties on goods, wares, and merchandise imported from foreign countries, and other subject-matters immediately pertaining thereto; the expenses necessarily incurred in the preparation thereof to be paid from the appropriation for the expenses of collecting the revenue from customs: Provided, That the said expenses shall not exce[e]d ten thousand dollars. APPROVED, July 26, 1866. Proviso. [No. 84.] A Resolution providing for the Examination of the Accounts of the State of Mas- July 26, 1866. sachusetts for Moneys expended during the War for Coast Defence. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the Claim of Massachusetts for United States be, and he is hereby, authorized and requested to appoint, expenses for by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, two commissioners coast defence to who shall examine into the claim of the State of Massachusetts for mo- be examined. neys expended for coast defence during the war, and shall make a full and complete report thereon to Congress at its next session. APPROVED, July 26, 1866. [No. 85.] A Resolution granting the Right of Way through Military Reserves to the Union July 26, 1866. Pacific Railroad Company and its Branches." Union Pacific depot and other purposes. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, subject to approval by Right of way the President, the right of way, one hundred feet in width, is hereby granted to the granted to the Union Pacific Railroad Company and the companies con- Railroad Comstructing the branch roads connecting therewith, for the construction and pany and its branches operation of their roads over and upon all miltary reserves through which through the milthe same may pass; and the President is hereby authorized to set apart itary reserves. to the Union Pacific Railway Company, eastern division, twenty acres of Grant for the Fort Riley military reservation, for depot and other purposes, in the bottom opposite "Riley City"; also fractional section "one" on the west side of said reservation, near Junction City, for the same purposes; and also to restore, from time to time, to the public domain, any portion of said military reserve over which the Union Pacific railroad, or any of its for military purbranches, may pass, and which shall not be required for military pur- poses to be restored to public poses: Provided, That the President shall not permit the location of any domain. such railroad or the diminution of any such reserve in any manner so as to impair its usefulness for military purposes, so long as it shall be required therefor. APPROVED, July 26, 1866. [No. 86.] Joint Resolution amendatory of a Joint Resolution entitled "A Resolution respecting Bounties to Colored Soldiers, and the Pensions, Bounties, and Allowances to their Heirs," approved June 15, 1866. Such portions of these reserves as are not needed Usefulness for military purposes not to be interfered with. July 26, 1866. Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the words "at the time of his enlistment," at the end of section one of the "resolution respecting enlistment," at The words "at the time of his end of section one, stricken out. Agent or attorney making claim for bounty must file with each claim his oath that, &c. bounties to colored soldiers, and the pensions, bounties, and allowances to their heirs," approved June fifteen, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, be, and the same are hereby, stricken out. SEC. 2. And be it further resolved, That whenever application shall be made by any claimant for bounty under the provisions of the joint resolution aforesaid, by or through any agent or attorney, such agent or attorney shall hereafter be required to file with each claim his oath or affirmation that he has no interest whatever in said bounty beyond the fees for collection of the same, which are hereby fixed and established as Fees of agents. follows, viz: for the preparation and prosecution of claims for, and the collection and remittance of, all sums not exceeding fifty dollars, the sum of five dollars; for all sums exceeding fifty and less than one hundred dollars, the sum of seven dollars and fifty cents; and for all sums exceeding one hundred dollars, the sum of ten dollars; and said fees shall include all expenses incident to the collection of said claims, except the expense of the necessary affidavits and notarial or other acknowledgments, which shall be defrayed by the claimant; and any agent or attorney who shall charge, directly or indirectly, in any case, a greater sum for his services in preparing and prosecuting said claims and collecting and remitting the amount due, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall, upon conviction, be punished by fine not exceeding three thousand nor less than one thousand dollars, and shall be forever excluded from prosecuting military or naval claims against the government. Penalty for eharging more than legal fees. If payments are made by check, &c. claimant how to establish his identity. Soldiers not to sell or assign, &c. discharges, &c. Such sales, &c. void. July 26, 1866. Certain com missioned offcers actually entering on duty, SEC. 3. And be it further resolved, That in case the payments shall be made in the form of a check, order, or draft upon any paymaster, national bank, or government depository, it shall be necessary for the claimant to establish, by the affidavits of two credible witnesses, that he is the identical person named therein; but in no case shall such checks, orders, or drafts be made negotiable until after such identification. SEC. 4. And be it further resolved, That it shall not be lawful for any soldier to transfer, assign, barter, or sell his discharge, for the of purpose transferring, assigning, bartering, or selling any interest in any bounty under the provisions of said resolution; and all such transfers, assignments, barters, or sales heretofore made are hereby declared null and void as to any rights intended so to be conveyed by any such soldier. APPROVED, July 26, 1866. [No. 87.] Joint Resolution for the Relief of certain Officers of the Army. Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in every case in which a commissioned officer actually entered on duty as such commissioned officer, but by reason of being killed in battle, capture by the enemy, or other cause beyond his control, and without fault or neglect of his own, was not mustered within a period of not less than thirty days, the pay department pay from what shall allow to such officer full pay and emoluments of his rank from the date on which such officer actually entered on such duty as aforesaid, deducting from the amount paid in accordance with this resolution all pay actually received by such officer for such period. but not mustered in within &c. to have full date. Heirs, &c. of receive arrears of pay and pensions. SEC. 2. And be it further resolved, That the heirs or legal representasuch officers to tives of any officer whose muster into service has been or shall be amended hereby, shall be entitled to receive the arrears of pay due such officer or the pension provided by law for the grade into which such officer is mustered under the provisions of the first section of this resolution. APPROVED, July 26, 1866. [No. 90.] A Resolution to change the Place of holding the Terms of the Circuit Court for July 27, 1866. the District of West Virginia. Circuit court. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the terms of the circuit for West Vircourt for the district of West Virginia, heretofore held at Lewisburg, in ginia to be held the county of Greenbrier, shall be hereafter held at the city of Parkers- at Parkersburg, burg, at the time now fixed by law. APPROVED, July 27, 1866. and not at Lewisburg. No. 91.] A Resolution to provide for the Publication of the Official History of the Re- July 27, 1866. bellion. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Provision for States of America in Congress assembled, That the joint resolution enprinting official titled "A resolution to provide for the printing of official reports of the reports of the armies of the United States," approved May nineteen, eighteen hundred armies of the and sixty-four, be, and the same is hereby, repealed. United States Certain official documents to be arranged and prepared for publication. Plan and estimates of cost. SEC. 2. And be it further resolved, That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized and required to appoint a competent person to arrange and prepare for publication the official documents relating to the rebellion and the operations of the army of the United States, who shall prepare a plan for said publication and estimates of the cost thereof, to be submitted to Congress at its next session. SEC. 3. And be it further resolved, That the person whose appointment Compensation of person doing is hereby authorized shall receive a compensation for his services not to the service. exceed two thousand five hundred dollars per annum, to be paid monthly by the Secretary by [of] the Treasury, out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated: Provided, That said compensation shall not be paid for a longer period than two years from and after the passage of this resolution. APPROVED, July 27, 1866. Proviso. [No. 92.] A Resolution for the temporary Relief of the Sufferers by the late Fire in July 27, 1866. Portland, in the State of Maine. Collection of may be sus Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the commissioner of in- certain internal ternal revenue is hereby authorized to suspend the collection of such revenue taxes in taxes as may have been assessed, or as may have accrued prior to the Portland, Maine, fifth day of July, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, in the first collection pended. district of the State of Maine, against any person residing or doing business and owning property in that portion of the city of Portland recently destroyed by fire, and who, in the opinion of said commissioner, has suffered material loss by such fire: Provided, That such suspension shall not be continued after the close of the next session of Congress. APPROVED, July 27, 1866. Proviso. [No. 93.] Joint Resolution to enable the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish to each State July 27, 1866. one Set of the Standard Weights and Measures of the Metric System. A set of standard weights and Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to furnish to each measures of State, to be delivered to the governor thereof, one set of the standard weights and measures of the metric system for the use of the States re- each State. spectively. APPROVED, July 27, 1866. metric system to be furnished |