The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-08-26
fPUBLlc--No. E31

AN ACT in addition TO thu several acts regu-
lalng the shipmen, and discharge oil seamen,
and the duties Of consuls.
BE it eaaeted By The Senate and House Of Rep
resentatipes ofMe United States Of Amtrica in
Congress assembled. AS follows:
First. The duplicate list Of the crew of any
vessel bound on foreign voyage, made out
pursuant TO the act of February 29 1903, shall
be a fair copy in one uniform handwriting,
without erasure or interneation.
Second. Ii shall be the duty of the owners Of
every such vessel to obtain from the collector
of customs OF the district from which the clear
auce is made, a true and certified copy Of the
shipping articles, containing the names of The
crew, which shall be written in uniform hand,
without erasurts or interneatous.
Third. These documents which shall be
deemed TO contain all the conditions OF con
tract with the crew, as to their service, pay, voy
age, and all other things, shall be prodaced 10y
the master, aud laid before any consul or other
commercial agents Of tho United States, when
ever he may deem their contents necessary tc
enable him TO discharge the duties imposed up
on him by law toward any mariner aspplying te
him for his aid or assistance.
Fourth. All iuierlineaIions, erasures, or wri
ting in a hand different from that IN which such
duplicates we're originally made, shall be deem
cd fraudulent alterations, working no change lr
snch papers, unless satisfactorily explained IL
a manner consistent with innocent purposes and
the provision, OF law which guard the rights OF
mariners.
Fifth. Any consul Of the United States, and
10 ease there is noae resident ai foreign port,
OF ho Is unable 10 discharge his duties, then any
commercial agent of ths uniied STATES anthor-
lied 10 perform such duties, may, upon the ap-
nj
the vessel under his command, discharge such
mariner if he thinks it expedient, without re-
quirins the payment Of 3 months wages under
TIE provisions of the act of 25th February, loG5,
or any Other sua, of money.
Sixth. Any consul, OF other commercial a
gent, may also, on such JOINT application, dis
charge uuy mariner on such terms as VIII, IN
his judgment, save the u. States from the lla-
biluy TO support such mariner, II tho master
gives his voluntary assent 10 such terms, aud
conforms thereto.
Seventh. Wuen mariner is so disc harged,
the officer discharging him shall msAe an, otiic-
ial entry thereof on the lists Of tue crew aud !he
shipping articles.
Eight. Whenever any master shall ship q
mariner in torelgu port, lie shall forthwith
take the list of the crew aud the duplicate oI
the shipping articles to the eousul, or person
port, whe shall make the entries thereon, set
lns forth the contract, and describing The per-
son Of the mariner--aud tlIereupon The bend
originally gwen for the return oi The men, shall
embrace each person so shdded
Ninth. When sny mariner shall complan
shat the voyage is continued contrary 10 ms a
greement, or that he has fulfilled hls contract
the consul or other commercial agent perform
IuE like duties, may examine INTO The same b,
m inspection of the articles of agrevmeut-- an,
If on the face Of them he finds lie complaint lt
be well founded, he shall discharge the mariner
If he desires it, and require OF the muster an al
yauce, beyond the lawful claims Oi such marin
er, Of 3 months wages, as provided IN the act o
February 2S, l503-and IN case the Lawful
claims OF such mariner are not pad upon hIs
discharge, the Arrears shall from that time bear
an interest OF 90 per ceDlum--Proylded. howev-
ell, Ii the consul or other commercial ageut
shall be satisfied the dontract has expired, or
tho vooage been prutracied by circumstances
beyond the centroi OF the master, without auy
design on his par, TO violate the articles Of ship.
meni, then he may, il he deems il just, discharge
,he mariner without exacliug the three months
additional pay.
10Th. All shipments Of seameu, made con-
trary 10 the provisions Of this aud other acts OF
Congress, bhal be Woodland any seaman so
shipped may leave the service at any ii1e, aud
demand the highest rate OF wages paid TO sea-
men shipped ior the voyage, or The sum agreed
TO be given him at his shipment.
ilih. IL shall be the duty Of consus and
commercial agents TO reclaim deserlsrs and dis
countensuce INSTRUMENTATION by every means
within their power-and where the local au-
ihorities ess be as fully employed Tor that Pur-
pose, to lend their aid aud use their sxertious
10 that end iu the most eifeciuaI manner.
l2th. Ii the first officer, or any olhcer, and
a majority Of the crew OF any vessel shall make
esspIalnt in writing that sbs is not in a suita-
hls condition 10 20 to tea, because she is Isaky,
or insuffcisn,ly supplied with sails, rigging,
aucl,ors, or any other equipment, or thai the
1917 a. in.uaici iani ~ nla. kst Ihat her mo