Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-03-14
LAW FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE
UNITED STATES.

Ill oNA - - - n sSs
II An Act giving to the President of the United
States additional powers for the defence
of the United States, in certain cases,
against invasion and for other purposes.
BE Il enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives Of The United Siates Of .4me,i.
/ ca, in COngress assembled, That the Presi-
| dent Of the United States be, and he hereby
II Iis, authorized to resist any attempt on the
part Of Great Britain to enforce by arms, her
claims to exclusive jurisdiction over that part
Of the State of Maine which is in dispute be-
tween the United States and Great Britain );
and, FOR that purpose to employ the military
and naval force Of the United States, and
such portions of the militia us he may deem
it advisable to call into service.
Sec. 2. .7nd be Il further enacted That the
militia, when called into the service OF the
United States by virtue Of this act, or Of the
act entitled "an act to provide for calling
forth the militia to execute the laws of the
| Union, suppress Instructions, repel invasion,
and to repeal the act now in force for those
| purposes" may, if 10 the opinion of the Pre-.
sdent of the United States, the public inter.
est require it, be compelled to serve for o
term not exceeding six months after the arri
va! at their Place Of rendezvous, in any one
II year, unless sooner discharged.
i Sec. 3. find be IL further enacted, That in
the event Of actual invasion of the territory
Of the United States BY any foreign power,o
Of imminent danger Of such invasion discov-
cred, in his opinion, to exist before Congress
can be convened to act upon the subject, the
President be, and he is hereby authorized i'll
lie deem the same expedient, to accept the
services Of any number Of volunteers, not ex-
ceeding fifty thousand, in the manner provid.
ed for in all act entitled "an act authorizing
the President Of the United States to accept
he services Of volunteers, and to raise an ad.
ditional regiment Of drngoons or mounted ri.
fcmen," approved May %, 1896.
Sec. a. ind be ii further enacied, That, in
the event Of either of the contingencies pro.
vded for in this act, the President Of the
Il United States shall be authorized TO com.
p!ete the public armed vessels now authorized d
/ by law, and to equip, man and employ in
actual service, all the naval force Of the
| United States and TO bnild, purchase or
charter, arm, equip snd mon such vessels md
II steamboats, on the northern lakes and rivers
whose waters communicate with the United
Stntes and Great Britain, os he shall deem
necessary to protect the United States from
invasion from TINT quarter.
Sec. 5. lind be II further enacted, That the
sum Of ten millions Of dollars is hereby np-
propriated and placed nt his disposal for the
purpose Of executing the provisions Of this
act, to provide for which the Secretary ofthe
Treasury is authorized to borrow money on
the credit Of the United States, and to cause
to be issued certificates of stock, signed by
the Register Of the Treasury, for the sum TO
be borrowed, or any part thereof; and the
same to bo sold upon the best terms that mny
be offered, after public notice for proposals
for the same; Provided, That no engagement
or contract shall be entered into which shall
preclude the United States from rembursinp
any sum or sums thus borrowed, after the
expiration Of five years from the FIRST OF
January next, and that the rate Of interest
shall not exceed FIVE per cent, payable semi
annually.
Sec. G find be Il further enacted, That the
sum Of eighteen thousand dollars be, and the
same is hereby appropriated, out Of any
money in the Treasury not otherwise appro.
prsted, for outfit and salary Of a specia min.
isier to Great Britain Prorided, The Presi.
dent Of the u. States shall deem it expedicn,
10 appoint the same.
Sec.7 2. .And be IL further enacted, That in
The event Of either Of the contingencies pro-
vided for in the first md third sections oi
this act, the President Of the United States
j shall be- authorized 10 apply part not cx-