The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-15
Life Boats on the Coast Of tho United states
for the Preservation OF Life and Property
from Shipwreeked Vessels

On the Sd of March. ls4s, the commencement OF the
administration OF Gen. Taylor Congress appropriated the
OF ooo TO be expended under the direction OF the
Secretary OF the Treasury, in procuring means for the
preservation Of life and property from shpwreck the
coast OF the United States This sum, under the direc
ton Of the then Secretary, expended in the purchase
of life boats and apparatus and the erection OF houses
for the same at stations selected the OF New
York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The Secretary
not deeming that power vested in him by the law
making the appropriation TO compensate persons for
taking OF The property, il in many suffered for
the want OF proper attention notwithstanding which,
however. has been the Of saving great num-
Der OF lives, well much property. the duties on
which have Injured to the government
The next appropriation $4,000, made 10 Sepem
ber 1885, and was expended under The direction Of the
then Secretary in the purchase and locating OF boats at
different points the Atlantic coast These boats have
IN several OF shpwreck, afforded timely relief but
owing to the fact Of their not having been placed under
proper protection, have, at many points, suffered from
neglect and rendered almost useless in consequence
OF the want Of hands lowing to their isolated poson)
10 man them in time OF need
AT the session OF 1859, well OF SO, Congress ap-
proprsted the sum Of $40 900, making $780, 900 in all,
be expended under the direction OF the Secretary,
for purposes similar to those heretofore made When
the present Secretary mr. Guhre) took charge OF the
Treasury Department, several applications were then
pending and others have since been made for the loca
ting of these boats Different points the Atlantic and
lake coasts After giving the subject careful considera
uou. he OF the opinion that the course heretofore
pursued by the department in purchasing these boats.
and locating them without proper attention being
had to their preservation and in many OF placing
them in positions isolated TO render impossible TO
man them when promptly required was useless erpend
iiure OF The public money, and should at be dis
continued la ORDER therefore, that the benevolent in
,enlions OF Congress should be carried into full effect,
and the great objects Of humanity subserved he directed
that In all the applications then pending, well in
those to be hereafter made for these boats, bond,
IN the sum of FIVE hundred dollars, should be executed
BY one or more responsible persons for the preservation
OF the public property us committed TO their charge.
and that they should make quarterly reports TO the de-
partner, Of the condition Of the and the number
Of persons package. of merchandise landed by its
from wrecks. &c. The consequence was, and now is.
that in every The requirement. OF the depart
meni have been, and are now, cheerfuy complied with
not only by individuals but the novel case has been re-
Gently presented where the city of o.wego through he,
councils has directed her mayor 10 bonds oil
$500 each, In The OF the city, for the preservation
and proper Of The two boats about TO be located
that place.
| II will thus be perceived that the pursued by
the present able and distinguished Secretary of the Treas
nry enables the department, without calling upon Con
ress for additional appropriations. appointing ret
nue OF officers. only to keep these boats and appur
snances located during his administration, in safety
perfect repar but also provides the Tor their e.
fscve nee whenever the calls Of humanity may require
y their and