Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-23

Sec. 8. And be at further enacted, That the
act OF June seventeen, eighteen hundred and
forty-four, entitled &c An act making appro-
pIiatlons for the naval service for the fiscal
year ending the thirtieth day of June, eighteen
hundred and brty-fve," which directs IS that
the Secretary of the Navy shall order COM
petent commissioned or warrant officer of the
navy to take charge of the naval stores for
foreign squadrons in place of naval storekeep-
ers, at each of the foreign ports where said
stores may be deposited, and where store
keeper is necessary" be, and the same is here.
by, so far modified as to authorize the selec-
ton and appointment of citizens other than
naval officers to be storekeepers on foreign
stations, when suitable naval officers cannot
be ordered on such service, or when in the
opinion of the Secretary of the Navy, the pub:
lie interest will be promoted thereby. Per-
sons so selected and appointed to receive the
same compensation as now allowed, and to
enter into bond with security, as is required
by law OF officers Of the navy performing said
service.
SEC. 4. A1td be at further enacted, That the
pay of tiremen and coalheavers employed in
the naval service, shall hereafter be fixed by
the President of the United States, in the same
manner as isnow provided by law for the pay
OF other petty officers, and of seamen, ordlna-
ry seamen, and marines and so much of the
act OF Congress, approved August thirty first,
eighteen hundred and forty two, entitled " An
act to regulate the appointment and pay of en-
gineers IN the navy of the United States, as
fixes the pay of fremen and coalheavers be,
and the same is hereby repealed
Sec. 5. And be 1t further enacted, That of
the money appropriated in this act for pay
of the navy and contingent expenses enume-
rated, an amount not exceeding twenty-elght
thousand and two hundred dollars may be ex-
pended, under the direction of the Secretary of
| the Navy, for repairs, improvements, and in
structions at Fort Severn, Annapolis, Mary
land; and for the purchase of land for the use
of the naval school at that place, not exceed
ing twelve acres.
SEC. 6. And be 1T further enacted, That in
every case of the loss or capture of vessel
belonging to the navy Of the United States, the
accounting officers of the treasury, under the
direction of the Secretary of the Navy, shall
| be, and they are hereby authorized in the set
tlement of the accounts of the purser of such
vessel, to credit him with such portion of the
amount of the provisions, clothing, small
stores, and money, with which he stands
charged on the books of the Fourth Auditor
of the Treasury, as they shall be satisfied was
inevitably lost by such capture, or loss of a
public vessel; and such purser shall be fully
exonerated by such credit, from all liability
on account of the provisions, clothing, small
stores, and money, so proved to have been
captured or lost.
Sec. 7. A1ad be 1t further enacted, That the
Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby
authorized and directed 10 cause such expert
ments to be made under the immediate direc-
ton and superintendent of Uriah Brown as
shall thoroughly test the efficient properties OF
liquid fire, and the practical utility of a shot
proof steamship the invention of said Brown,
for the coast and harbor defence; sand expert.
ments to be made in the presence If competent
Judges, to be selected by the Secretary of the
Navy for that purpose and it shall be the
duty of the said Secretary to report to Con
gress, at the earliest practicable period there
after, the result of such experiments; and his
opinion whether the interest of the United
States would be promoted by adopting this
invention as a means of national defence. Tha
said Brown shall receive the sum of six dollar:
per day while engaged in making said expert
ments, together with all his travelling and 9th
er necessary expenses Prouided, He shall
not be so employed for time exceeding 81,
months And that sum not exceeding tel
thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby
appropriated out Of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated for defraying thu
expenses of said experiments
JOHN w. DAVIS,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
G. NJ. DALLAS,
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.
APPROVED March 8, 1847
JAMES K. POLK.