The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1817-04-30

the Department In which the expenditure
has been Incurred; to countersign all war
rants drawn by the Secretaries of tho War
and Navy Departments, which shall be
warranted by law ) TO report 90 the said Sec
retaries tho Official forms to be Issued in the
different Offices for disbursiug the pubic mo-
ney in those Departments, and the mapner
and form Of keeping and stating the accounts
oi the persons EN- pioyed therein and it shall
also be his dUiy 10 superinte I'd the prcscrva-
lion of the public accounts, subject to his
revision.
Sec. 10. .1sd te &c further enacted, That is
shall be the duty Of The FIRST comptroller TO
sopetinlend ,he recovery of all debts to tho
Uniled States 10 direct suits and legal Yyo-
ceeding,, and TO ,ake all such measures %
may be authorized by tho laws, to enforce
prompt peymcnt el all debts to The United
States.
Sec. n. Ind De- it farther eroefed, Thsr
the provision contsiped in tho second section
OF the act passed The third March, ono thou
sand seven hundt I'd and ninety.seven enii-
tied" An act to ptovide more eaectuaily for
the settlement of accounts between tho
United States and receivers Of public mo.
ney," which directs that in every ease where
suits have been or shall be instituted, trans.
ctipt from tho hacks and proceedings of tho
Treasosy, certified by the Register, shalt DO
admitted az evidence, and BE extended in
regsid 10 the accounts Of the War and Navy
Departments, 10 the auditors respectively
charged with the examination Of those &C.
counts, and that ccrtiticete, signed by them,
shall be OF the same effect es that directed to
be sig, ed by the register.
Sec. - Ind be is ./urfder enacted, ThSs
the auditors OF the public accounts shall DO
empowered to adm mister oath or sffr ma.
tions 10 Witnesses in any case in which they
may deem it necessary for the due cxamin-
alton of the accounts with which they shsll
be charged.
Sec. l3. .fnd be is further enarrsd, That 10
shall be The duty Of the Secretary Of tho
Treasury to cause all accounts of the expeD.
diture OF public money to be setled within
the year, except where the distance Of the
places were such expenditure occurs may
he such as 10 make further time necessary 3
and, In respect to expenditures al such pla-
ccs,tbe Secretary Of the Treasury, with tho
assent of the President, shall establish fixed
periods at which q settleme M shall DO ,eqnir-
cd And IL shall be The duty oil the hrst comp
trolier 10 lay before Congress, annually, dur.
ring the kfst week of their session, list Of
such officers as shall have fsiicd In that ysar
TO make the setiement re quired'ty law.
Sec. IL. And De IL further enacted, Thef
| In the annual s,steRent Of all accounts on
which balances appear to have been due
more than three years, which the coDptrol'
Ter IS now required by law TO mike, he shall
hereafter distinguish those accc. UNITS, the bal
ances appearing on which shall in his opin.
ion be owing to diffic ultios OF form which he
may tbink il equitable shall bc removed bJ
an act Of Cong iess and wherc the debtors
by whom such balance shall have been due
more than three years shall DO iRsolvcut
and have been reported to Congress for three.
successive years as insolvent, the conprolIci
shall not be required in sush case TO coniiu
ue to include such balances in the statement
above mentioned.
Sec. IS. ind Be IL. f.furfscr enacted, Tha,
the salary Of the comp,roller appointed b,
virtue Of this act, shall be ihrco thousant
dollars per snnum, and that Of the auditors
each, three Thousand dollars per annum.
Sec. Is. .fnd be is further enacted, Thai
all letters and packages to and from tn,
comptroller and auditors herein before men
toned, be conveyed free Of postage, unde
the same regulations that are provided b,
law for other officers Of government ant
TIE Secretary Of the TT essury is hereb.
authorized to assign the several sums appro
pristed for clerk hire 10 the Office Of the &C
countant, superin,cndan general Of miiitar!
supplies, and accountant ofaho pny, TO tbl
officers hereby "teated, to which their res
pec,ive duties shall be assigned.
March J, lel7.-Approvcd,
JAMES MADISON.