Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-05-23
rpueLiu-No. Gg.1

AN Act TO establish Department Of AgriCul-
ture.
Be ii eaaciedJyt The Senate and House Of Repre-
sertdtiveS Of The United Stdfes Of America IN Con-
grass assembled, That there is hereby established
at the seat Of Government Of the United States
Department Of Agriculture. the general de-
signs and duties of which shall g To acquire
aud to ditiuse among tho people OF the United
States useinl information un subjects connected
with agriculture in the most general and com
ptehensiye sense Of that word and to procure,
propagate aud distribute among the people new
and valuable seeds aud plants.
Sec. .. And be il further enacifd, That there
shall be appointed by the President, by and with
the advice und consent Of the Senate, Com
missioner of Agriculture, who shall be the chief
executive officer Of the Department of Agricul-
ture, who shall hold his office by a tenure sm-
lar to that Of other civil officers appointed by
the President and who shall receive for his
compensation u SALARY OF three thousand dollars
per annum.
Sec. 3. And BE- il further enacted, That il shall
be the duty of the Commissioner OF Agriculture
to acquire and preserve in his department all
Information concerning agriculture which he
Gun obtain by means of books aud cOrrehpnm-
dence, and by practical aud scientific expert
meuts, (accurhte records Of which experiments
shall be kept in his otice,) by the collection Of
statistics, and by any other appropriate means
within his power; to collect, IA ne may be able,
new and valuable seeds and plants to test, by
cultivation, the value Of such of them as may
require such tests To propagate such NJ may
be worthy Of propagation. and to distribute them
among agricuturists. lie shall annually make
general report IN writing of his actsstO the
President and to Congress, in which he may
recommend the publication of papers forming
parts Of Or accompanying his report, which re-
port shall also contain MI account of all moneys
received and expended hy him. lie shall also
make special reports On particular subjects
whenever required tn do 20 by the President or
either House of Congress, or when he shall
think the subject in his charge requires it. He
shall receive and have charge Of all the property
Of the agricultural division Of the Patent Office
in the department OF tue Interior, including the
fixtures and property of the propagating garden
lie shall direct and superintendent the expendi-
ture OF all money appropriated by Congress to
the Department, and render accounts thereof
and also OF all money heretofore appropriated
for agriculture and remaining unexpended--
And said Commissioner may send and receive
through the mails, free of charge all commun-
cations and other mutter pertaining to tho busi-
ness Of his Department, not exceeding in weight
thrty-two ounces
, Sec 4. And be Il FURTHER enacted, That the
Commissioner of Agriculture shall appoint n
chief clerk, with salary of two thousand dol
lars, who in all cases during the necessary nb-
Bence OF the Commissioner, OF Mnen tue hhlu
principal office shall become vacant, shall per
form the duties of Commissioner, and he shnl
appoint such other employees as Congress may
from time to time provide with salaries cores
ponding to the SALARIES of similar officers it
other Departments of the Government; and ht
h SHALL us Congress may from time to time pro
vide, employ other persons, for such time al
their services may be needed, including chem
lists, botanists, entomologi,ts, and other person
h. skilled in the natural sciences pertaining Il
% agriculture. Aud the said Commissioner, an,
every other person to be appointed in the sa
Department, shall before he enters upon tn
duties of his Office or appointment, make Oat
\, or affirmation truly and faithfully to execute th
s trust committed to him And the said Commits
IA sioner and the chief clerk shall also, before en-
~ tering upon their duties, severaly give bonds I
|. the Treasurer Of the United States, the forme
g, in the sum Of ten thousand dollars, and the lai
y ter in the sum Of tiSe thousand dollars. col
&c ' ditonal to render true and faithful account
~, him or his successor in office, quarterly year
y ly accounts of all moneys which shall be
~ them received by virtue of the said office, wit
=. sureties to be approved as sufficient by the Soil
~ citor of the Treasury which bonds shall be file
~ in tue Office Of the First Comptroller of the Trei
~ =. sury. to be by him put in suit upon any breac
NJ NJ of the conditions thereof,
~, Approved, May 10, 1852.