Smyrna times., 1865-06-28
fPUBL1c REsoLurIoN-No. 49,

JOINT Resolution authorizing the Secretary of the
Navy TO amend the contract with John Ericsson for
the construction of two Impregnable floating batte
ries tile Dictator and the "Puritan"
Whereas the Navy Department on the twenty eighth
day Of JULY eighteen hundred and sixy-twO, entered
INTO contract with Capt John Ericsson, Of the city of
New York, Tor the construction of two impregnab BILE
floating batteries, the Dictator" and the 'Puritan;
and whereas experience with similar class of vessels
in actual conflict and during varied service OF more
than two years has demonstrated that many improve
menis could be made 10 render them more comp lete
and efficient vessels of war and whereas these i'm
provemens have added largely To the cost of construc
ton oil each OF these vessels, rendering II Impossible
for the contractor complete them under existing
engagements; and whereas il is OF the utmost import
10 the honor and interests of the country that they
should be finished and ready for service at the earliest
moment: Therefore,
Res0lUed Ly the Senate and House of Representa-
fires Of the United States Of America, in Congress
ASSEMBLED That the Secretary of the Navy be anC
he is hereby authorized TO amend the existing contrae
for the construction of these vessels 50 Tar as It relale
to the Puritan" and TO appoint competent board
ascertain the present value, as far as completed,
that vessel, and of the material on hand deemed ac
tuaily necessary TO her construction, and 10 pay
Capt John Ericsson, the contractor he amouHt oil val
uaiIon so ascerIaned, deductIng thereir0m any SUM
already vanced towards the completion OF said YES
sci and that upon sad payment being made by lh
Secretary of the Navy the rights OF the contractor
said vessel and material or any portion thereof shai
cease and be vested wholly and absolutely III tn
! United States, which shall thenceOrth proceed 4
com pleie said vessel under such arrangements ma
| be deemed most advantage Gus: Provided, however
That nothing herein contained shall in any mannc
affect the contract for the construction of the "Dctt
tor, which shall be completed by said contractor npo
the same terms and conditions il this resolution ha
not been passed And provided. further, That no at
ton shall be had under this resolution until SAID con
tractor shall have slgnled 10 the Secretary oil In
Navy, in writing his acceptance of the prOVIsOs an
his Willingness TO superintend TO completion the COZ
srucIion Of the puritan" Provided, further. IhS
this resolution shall not take effect until the comp
ton and delivery of the "DiciatOr:" Provided, als'
That It shall he the duty Of the Secretary of the Nav
in carrying this resolution into execution to apporO
and apply 10 the dictator" in payment Tor that We
sell only such portion OF the gross contract prce OF N
two milIOD three hundred thousand dollars u 3OOO OO
for the "a Dictator" and " Puritan" the " Dictator
would justly be entitled to if both vessels had bee
completed at the price and in the mode OF constrn
ton specified in the contract, special reference beiT
had the difference of cost between the two vesse
arising from the difference in their construction prov
ded for in the contract
. Approved, June 25, 1864.