The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-14

[PUBLIc--No. 10
AN ACT providing Tor the prosecution of the exist
ing war between the United States and the re-
public of Mexico.
Whereas, by the act Of the republic OF Mexico, a
state Of war exists between that government and
the United States
Bsa enacted BY the Senate and House Of Represent
afipe, Of the United States Of .3msTied in Congress
assembled, That, for the purpose Of enabling the
government Of the United States TO prosecute said
war 10 a speedy and successful termination, the
President be, and he is hereby, authorized to en-
ploy the militia, naval and military forces Of the
United States and to call for and accept the services
of any number Of volunteers, not exceeding nifty
thousand who may offer their services either as cav
airy, artillery, infantry, or riiemen, to serve twelve
months after they shall have arrived al the place OF
rendezvous, or the end Of the war, unless soon
err discharged, according to the time for which they
shall have been mustered into service; and that the
sum Of ten millions Of dollars, out Of any moneys
in the treasury, or TO come into the treasury, not
otherwise appropriated, be, and the same is hereby
appropriated for the purpose of carrying the ProV-
SONS Of this act into effect.
SEC. 2. find be IL further enacted, That the mill
da when called INTO the service of the United States
BY virtue of this act any other act, may, If IN the
opinion of the President Of the United States the
public interest requires it, be compelled to serve for
a term not exceeding six months after their arrival
at the place Of rendezvous, in any one year, unless
sooner discharged.
SEC. 3. find be Il further enacted, That the said
volunteers shall furnish their own clothes, and If
cavalry, their own horses, and horse equipments;
and when mustered into service shall be armed at
the expense Of the United States
SIC. 4. ind be Il further enacted, That said vol
unteers SHALL when called into actual service, and
while remaining therein, be subject to the rules and
articles of war, and shall be in all respects, except
as to clothing and pay, placed on the same footing
with similar corps Of the United States army; and
in lieu Of clothing, every non-commlssoned othcer
and private in any company, who may thus offer
himself, shall be entitled, when called into actual
service, to receive in money sum equal to the cost
Of clothing Of non.commssoned officer or private
las the case may beg in the regular troops OF the
United States.
SIC. s. find be II further enacted That the said
volunteers offering their services shall be accept
ed by the President in companies, battaons, squad
rons and regiments whose officers shall be appoint
ed in the manner prescribed by law in the several
States and Territories to which such companies, bat
taIions, squadrons, and regiments shall respectively
belong.
SEC. g. find be il further enacted, That the Pres
iden of the United States be, and he is hereby, au-
thorized to organize companies, rendering their
services into battalions squadrons; battaons and
squadrons into regiments; regiments into brlgades,
and brsades into divisions, as soon as the number
Of volunteers shall render such organization, in his
Judgment, expedient; and the President SHALL ii
necessary, apportion the staff, field and general Of
fcers among the respective States and Territories
from which the volunteers shall tender their services,
as he may deem proper
Sac. T. And be IL further enacted, That the volun-
teers who may be received into the service of the
United States by virtue of the provisions of this
act and who shall be wounded otherwise dlsa-
bed in the service shall be entitled to all the bene-
ct which may be conferred on persons wounded in
the service Of the United States.
SEC g. find be it further enacted That the Pres
ident of the United States be, and he is hereby, au-
thorized forthwith to complete all the public armed
vessels now authorized by law, and to purchase or
charter, arm, equip, and man such merchant vessels
and steamboats, as, upon examination, may be found
fit or easily converted into armed vessels fit for the
public service, and in such number as he may deem
necessary for the protection of the seaboard, lake
coast, and the general defence Of the country.
SEC. 9. And be ii further enacted, That when
ever the militia or volunteers called and received
into the service Of the United States under the pro-
visions of this act, they shall have the organization
Of the army of the United States, and shall have
the same nav and allowances and all mounted prl-
Yates UNASSIGNED officers, musicians, and ar
tifcers, shall be allowed 40 cents per day for the
nse and risk of their horses, except of horses &C
tually killed in action; and if any mounted volun-
,eer non-commissioned officer musician, or private
shall not keep himself provided with serviceable
horse, the said volunteer shall serve on foot
JOHN w. DAVIS,
Sneaker Of the House Of Representatives..
G. M. DALLAS,
Vice President of The United STATES
and President of The Senate.
'"''' '''' ' JAMES X. POLK.