cie, by being made chargeable with the payment of interest at the rate of 12 per cent. per annum. Congress are to establish no other Banks except in the District of Columbia. Chap. 55. An act making further provision for military services during the late war, and for other purposes. This act provides for the representatives of officers and soldiers of the militia, killed in the service of the U. S. or who shall have died in consequence of wounds received therein. It enacts that the widow, or if no widow, the child or children (being under 16 years of age) of such officer or soldier shall be entitled to receive half the monthly pay to which the deceased was entitled at the time of his death, for 5 years. The guardians of the child or children (under 16 years of age) of any officer or soldier of the regular army, who shall have been so killed or died, may take the half pay for 5 years in lieu of the bounty land of such officer, &c. All soldiers enlisted for 5 years, or during the war, who have faithfully served during the war, and have been honourably discharged, shall be entitled to bounty land, notwithstanding they were above the age of 45, or under the age of 18, at the time of their enlist ment. No transfer of the land granted to non-commissioned officers, &c. valid, until the patents shall be issued. [Approved April 16, 1817.] Chap. 57. An act to enable the people of Indiana Territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the union on an equal footing with the original states. The said state shall consist of all the territory included within the following boundaries, to wit: bounded on the east by the meridian line which forms the western boundary of the state of Ohio. On the south by the river Ohio, from the mouth of the Great Miami river to the mouth of the river Wabash. On the west by a line drawn along the middle of the Wabash, from its mouth to a due north line drawn from the town of Vincennes, would last touch the northwestern shore of said river-and thence by a due north line, until the same shall intersect an east and west line drawn through a point ten miles north of the southern extreme of lake Michigan: on the north by the said cast and west line, until the same shall intersect the first mentioned meridian line which forms the western boundary of the state of Ohio. The state to have concurrent jurisdiction on the Wabash, with the state to be formed west thereof, so far as the said river shall form a common boundary to both. The state when formed, shall be entitled to one representative in the house of representatives U. S. until the next general census. [Approved April 19, 1816.] Chap. 58. An act to abolish the existing duties on spirits distilled within the United States, and to lay other duties, in lieu of those at present imposed, on licenses to distillers of spirituous liquors. By this act the tax is imposed on the capacity of the still, instead of the quantity of liquor distilled according to the act of 21st Dec. 1814. And authority is hereby given to the collectors and their deputies, to enter at any time any distillery or place, where any still, boiler or other vessel, used in dis tillation are kept or used, for the purpose of inspecting, examining or measuring the same. [Approved April 19, 1816.] Chap. 76. An act supplementary to an act entitled "an act granting bounties in lands and extra pay to certain Canadian volunteers." By this act the paymaster of the army of the U. S. instead of the treasurer of the U. S. is authorised and required to pay the extra pay to the persons entitled thereto. [Approved April 26, 1816.] Chap. 138. An act for the gradual increase of the Navy of the United States. The sum of 1,000,000 dollars for eight years, is hereby appropriated for the gradual increase of the Navy-And the president of the U. S. is authorised to cause to be built nine ships, to rate not less than 74 guns each, and twelve ships of not less than 44 guns each, including one 74, and three 44 gun ships, heretofore ordered to be built by the act of 2d January, 1813. The president of the U. S. is also authorised to cause to be procured engines, and the imperishable materials necessary for building three Steam Batteries. [Approved April 29, 1816.] less than thirty tons burden, with an additional allowance of four cents per gallon, if the spirits be distilled from molasses of foreign production. A drawback of four cents per pound in addition to the present drawback, shall be allowed on su gar refined in the United States and exported therefrom-when made out of sugar imported into the United States. Approved April 30, 1816.] No. 3. Resolution, requesting the president of the U. S. to present medals to captain Stewart, and the officers of the frigate Constitution. [Approved February 22, 1816.] No. 4. Resolution, requesting the president of the U. S. to present medals to captain Biddle, and the officers of the sloop of war Hornet. [Approved February 22, 1816.] SECOND SESSION. Chap. 22. An act making reservation of certain public lands, to supply timber for naval purposes. The secretary of the navy is hereby to cause lands produ. cing live oak and red cedar timbers to be explored, and selections to be made of such tracts where the principal growth of said timbers is, as he may deem necessary to furnish the navy a sufficient supply-and the tracts thus select. Chap. 172. An act to allow drawback of duties on spirits distilled and sugar refined within the United States, and for other purposes. A drawback of six cents per gal-ed with the president's approbalon of spirits not below first proof distilled within the United States, shall be allowed on such spirits as shall be exported to any foreign port not immediately adjoining to the United States, in vessels not tion, shall be reserved, unless otherwise directed by law, from any future sale of the public lands, and be appropriated solely to the purpose above-mentioned. [Approved March 1, 1817.] Chap. 23. An act to enable the people of the western part of the Mississippi territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such state into the union, on an equal footing with the original states. The boundaries of the state shall be as follows, viz. Beginning on the river Mississippi, at the point where the southern boundary line of the state of Tennessee strikes the same, thence east along the said boundary line to the Tennessee river, thence up the same to the mouth of Bear creek, thence by a direct line to the north-west corner of Washington countythence due south to the gulf of Mexico-thence westwardly including all the islands within six leagues of the shore, to the most eastern junction of Pearl river with lake Borgne-thence up said river to the 31st degree of north latitude-thence west along the said degree of north latitude to the Mississippi river-thence up the same to the beginning. Until the next general census, the state shall be entitled to one representative in the house of representatives of the United States. [Approved March 1, 1817.] Chap. 31. An act concerning the navigation of the United States. By this act it is enacted, that after the 30th of September, 1817, no goods, wares, &c. shall be imported into the United States, except in vessels of the U. S. or in such foreign, as truly and wholly belong to the citizens or subjects of that country of which the goods are the growth, production or manufacture-or from which such goods most usually are shipped for transportation.This regulation shall not extend to the vessels of any foreign nation, which has not adopted and shall not adopt a similar regulation. It is further enacted, that no goods, wares, &c. shall be imported, under penalty of forfeiture thereof, from one port in the United States to another port in the United States in a vessel belonging wholly or in part to a subject of any foreign power. Not to extend to goods, &c. imported in such vessel, but not unladen in the first mentioned port in the United States. [Approved March 1, 1817.] Chap. 39. An act to regulate the trade in Plaster of Paris. This act prohibits from and after the 4th of July, 1817, the importation of Plaster, in foreign vessels, from countries whence vessels of the United States are not allowed to bring it. This act shall continue in force five years, from the 31st of January, 1817.-Provided, upon any foreign nation's discontinuing its prohibitory regulations respecting the exportation of Plaster to the United States-the restrictions imposed by this act, shall cease, with respect to that nation. [Approved March 3, 1817.] Chap. 42. An act further to regulate the territories of the United States, and their electing delegates to congress. This act directs the delegates from the territories of the United States, to be elected every second year, for the same term of two years, for which the members of the house of representatives are elected the said delegates to have a seat in the house, with a right of debating, but not of voting. The qualified citizens of the ter ritory of Missouri, directed to elect | where the line of the 31st degree a delegate to congress. [Approved March 3, 1817.] Chap. 58. An act more effectually to preserve the neutral relations of the United States. of north latitude intersects the Perdido river, thence east to the western boundary line of the state of Georgia; thence along the said line to the southern boundary line of the state of Tennessee; thence west along said boundary line to By this act, any person, who shall within the limits of the Uni-Tennessee river; thence up the ted States, fit out and arm, &c. any vessel with intent to employ such vessel to commit hostilities against a friendly power, is liable upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding 10,000 dollars, and to imprisonment not exceeding ten years; and the vessel, her tackle, arms, stores, &c. forfeited. And the collectors of the customs are authorised and required to detain any vessels manifestly built for warlike purposes, the cargoes of which shall consist principally of arms, &c. when the number of men shipped or other circumstances, render it probable they are intended to commit hostilities, &c. against friendly pow ers. same to the mouth of Bear creek; thence by a direct line to the north west corner of Washington county; thence due south to the gulf of Mexico; thence eastwardly includ ing all the islands within six leagues of the shore to the Perdido river; and thence up the same to the beginning-shall for the purpose of a temporary government constitute a separate territory, and be called " Alabama.” It shall be entitled to send a delegate to congress. [Approved March 3, 1817.] ed vessels of the United States." Chap. 60. An act to amend and explain an "act giving pensions to the orphans and widows of persons Persons increasing or augment-slain in the public or private arm. ing, within the United States, the force of armed vessels in the ser. vice of a foreign power, engaged in hostilities with a nation at peace with the United States, shall upon conviction, be fined not exceeding 1000 dollars-and imprisoned not exceeding one year. It is enacted, that if any officer, seaman or marine, belonging to the navy of the United States, shall die, or shall have died since the 18th of June, 1812, in consequence of diseases contracted or injuries received while in the line of his duty, leaving a widow, or if no wi[Ap-dow, a child, or children, under 18 years of age-such widow, or child or children, shall be entitled to receive half the monthly pay of the deceased for five years. This act shall continue in force for the term of two years. proved March 3, 1817.] Chap. 59. An act to establish a separate territorial government for the eastern part of the Mississippi territory. Upon the intermarriage of the widow, the half pay to go to the It is enacted, that all that part of child or children of the deceased. the Mississippi territory which Upon the death of the child or lies within the following bounda-children, the pay to cease. [Ap ries, to wit: Beginning at the point proved March 3, 1817.] Chap. 68. An act for the relief of certain Creek Indians. This act directs 85,000 dollars to be paid to the friendly Creeks, whose property was destroyed by the hostile Creeks during the late war. Approved March 3, 1817.] Chap. 87. An act to provide for the redemption of the Public Debt. It is enacted, that so much of any act or acts of congress as provides for the purchase, &c. of the funded debt of the United States, be and is hereby repealed; and the annual sum of 10,000,000 dollars be appropriated to the sinking fund, to be applied by the commissioners of the sinking fund to the payment of interest and charges, and purchase of the principal of the public debt. An additional sum of 9,000,000 dollars shall be appropriated to the same fund for the year 1817, to be applied to the same purposes and the further sum of 4,000,000 dollars, if the secretary of the treasury shall deem it expedient during the year 1817-as an advance to that amount on the appropriation of ten millions, payable the next year. Any unappropriated surplus in the treasury above two millions of dollars, shall also be appropriated to the sinking fund. [Approved March 3, 1817.] Chap. 106. An act to amend the act entitled "an act granting bounties in land, and extra pay, to certain Canadian volunteers," passed the 5th March, 1816. This act makes six months service, unless disabled by wounds, &c. and the names appearing on the muster roll, conditions of the bounty. VOL. II. It also materially diminishes the quantity of land. [Approved March 3, 1817.] Chap. 109. An act to continue in force an act entitled "an act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports and tonnage," passed the 3d of March, 1815, and for other purposes. The act above-mentioned is hereby continued in force, except the 6th and 8th sections thereof. [Approved March 3, 1817.] Chap. 110. An act to amend the act "authorizing the payment for property lost, captured or destroyed by the enemy, while in the military service of the United States, and for other purposes," passed the 9th of April, 1816. It is enacted, that the 9th section of the above-mentioned act, shall be construed to extend only to houses or other buildings, occupied by an order of an officer or agent of the United States, as a place of deposit for military and naval stores, or as barracks for the United States forces. It is further enacted, that any person in the late war, who, without any fault or negligence on his part, has sustained any damage by the loss of any horse, mule, ox, wagon, cart, boat, sleigh or harness, in the military service of the United States, shall be allowed and paid the value thereof, unless the risk was agreed to be incurred by the owner. And the provisions of this and the former act, are extended to the cases of property lost in war with the Indian tribes, subsequent to the 18th February, and prior to the 1st September, 1815. [Approved March 3, 1817.] 3 L |