ACTS PASSED AT THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TWENTIETH CONGRESS [N.B. The titles only of private acts and appropriation bills, are given; "and the dates of approval refer back to the last preceding dates.] John Quincy Adams, President; J. C. Calhoun, Vice President, and President of the Senate; Nathaniel Macon, President of the Senate pro tempore; Andrew Stevenson, Speaker of the House of Representatives. CHAP. 8. An Act for the relief of Hampton L. Approved 21st February, 1828. CHAP. 9. An Act authorizing a Register to be CHAP. 10. An Act for the relief of William Chase and others. CHAP. 12. An Act for the relief of Henry G. Rice. "An Act declaring the assent of Congress to a Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of CHAP. 11. An Act for the relief of Joshua T. America, in Congress assembled, That no money hereafter appropriated shall be paid to any person for his compensation, who is in arrears to the United States, until such person shall have accounted for and paid into the treasury all sums for which he may be liable. Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to extend to balances arising solely from the depreciation of treasury notes, received by such person to be expended in the public service; but in all cases where the pay or salary of any person is withheld, in pursuance of this act, it shall be the duty of the accounting officers, if demanded by the party,his agent or attorney, to report forthwith to the agent of the treasury department the balance due; and it shall be the duty of the said agent, within sixty days thereafter, to order suit to be commenced against such delinquent and his sureties. CHAP. 3. An Act for the Relief of Simeon Broadmeadow. Approved 25th January, 1828. CHAP. 5. An Act for the relief of General Thomas CHAP. 6. An Act for making appropriations for the support of Government in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight. Approved 12th February, 1828. CHAP. 7. An Act authorizing the Secretary of State to issue a Patent to Elizabeth H.Bulkley, widow of Chauncey Bulkley, deceased. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the act passed the seventeenth day of March, in the year one thousand eight hundred, entitled "An Act declaring the assent of Congress to certain acts of the states of Maryland and Georgia," and which, by subsequent acts, has been revived and continued in force until the the third day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, be, and the same, so far as relates to the act of Maryland, hereby is revived and continued in force until the third day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight. Provided, that nothing herein contained shall authorize the demand of a daty on tonnage of vessels propelled by steam, employed in the transportation of passengers. CHAP. 16. An Act to alter the time of holding the District Courts of the United States in the district of North Carolina. SECT. 1. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the district Courts of the United States for the district of North Carolina shall, after the passing of this act, commence and be holden on the following days: that is to say, at Edenton, in and for the district of Albemarle, on the third Monday of April and October; at Newbern, in and for the district of Pamlico,on the fourth Monday of April and October; and at Wilmington, in and for the district of Cape Fear, or Clarendon, on the first Monday after the fourth Monday of April and October, in each and every year. SEOT. 2. And be it further enacted, That all suits, actions, writs, process, and other proceedings, commenced or to commence, or which shall now be pending, in any of the said district courts, shall be returnable to, heard, tried, and proceeded with, in the said district courts, in the same manner as if the time for the holding thereof had not been changed. Approved 10th March, 1828. CHAP. 17. An Act making appropriations for the support of the Navy of the United States, for the year eighteen hundred and twenty-eight. CHAP. 18. An Act making appropriations for cer tain Fortifications of the United States, for the year one thousand eight hundred and twentyeight. CHAP. 19. An Act granting the right of proference in the purchase of public Lands, to certain settlers in the St. Helena land district, in the state of Louisiana. CHAP. 20. An Act for the relief of the Columbian College, in the district of Columbia. Approved 19th March, 1828. CHAP. 21. An Act making appropriations for the Military Servico of the United States, for the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight. CHAP. 22. An Act to revive and continue in force the several acts making provision for the extinguishment of the Debt due the United States, by the purchasers of the public lands. SECT. 1. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, The the act, entitled "An act to provide for the extingishment of the debt due to the United States by the purchasers of public lands," approved May the eighteenth, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four, and the act entitled "An act explanatory of an act to provide for the extinguishment of the debt due the United States by the purchasers of public lands," approved May the twenty-sixth, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-four; and also the act, entitled "An act making further provision for the extinguishment of the debt due to the United States by the purchasers of public lands," approved May the fourth, one thousand eight hun dred and twenty-six; be, and the same are hereby, revived and continued in force until the fourth day of July, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine. SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That the provisions of this act be, and the same are, hereby extended to all lands on which a further credit has not been taken, and which, having become forfeited to the United States since the first of July, one thousand eight hundred and twenty, remain unsold. Approved 21st March, 1828. CHAP. 23. An Act authorizing a subscription for the Statistical Tables prepared by George Watterston and Nicholas B. Van Zandt. CHAP. 24. An Act for the relief of William Augustus Archbald. CHAP. 25. An Act for the relief of George Johnston, Jonathan W. Ford, Josiah Mason, and John English. CHAP. 26. An Act for the relief of Catharine Stearns. CHAP. 27. An Act for the relief of Mrs. Brown, widow of the late Major General Brown. Approved 3d April, 1828. CHAP. 28. An Act to confirm certain claims to Lands in the territory of Michigan. CHAP. 29. An Act providing for the appointment of an additional Judge of the Superior Court for the territory of Arkansas, and for other purposes. SECT. 1. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint and commission an additional Judge of the Superior Court for the territory of Arkansas, who shall reside in said territory, and hold his commission for the term of four years. SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That when said judge shall have been commissioned, the legislature of the territory of Arkansas shall be authorized to organize the counties of said territory into four judicial districts, and to assign to each of the four judges of the superior court of the territory of Arkansas one of the said circuits or districts, and to require said judges to hold circuit or district courts in each county of their respective districts, at such place and time as the legislature aforesaid may appoint and designate. SECT. 3. And be it further enacted, That in addition to holding district or circuit courts as aforesaid, the judges aforesaid shall hold two terms annually of the su · ACTS OF TWENTIETH CONGRESS-1st Session. perior court, at the seat of government in said territory; and the legislature aforesaid shall be authorized, in all cases except when the United States is a party, to fix the respective jurisdictions of the district and superior court. The United States' cases shall be tried in the superior court, in the manner that said cases are now tried. SECT. 4. And be it further enacted, That the judges aforesaid shall be authorized to nominate and appoint, and the governor to commission, a clerk in each county of their respective districts, in such manner, with such powers, and for such term of time, as the legislature aforesaid may designate. But in no county shall the clerk of the superior court be appointed the clerk of the circuit court; and the compensation of said clerks, except in United States' cases, shall be fixed by the legislature aforesaid. SECT. 5. And be it further enacted, That when any party to a suit is aggrieved by a decision of a judge holding a district court, except in criminal cases, the party aggrieved shall be at liberty, by appeal, I writ of error, or certiorari, to remove said suit to the superior court of said territory, for further trial; and the case thus brought up shall be tried by the judges, or any two of them, other than the judge who made the decision in the district court. SEOT. 6. And be it further enacted, That the additional judge hereby authorized to be appointed, shall receive the same salary now allowed by law to the judges of the superior court for the territory of Arkansas. SECT. 7. And be it further enacted, That writs of error and appeal from the final decision of the superior court for the territory of Arkansas, shall be made to the supreme court of the United States, in the manner, and under the same regulations, as from the circuit courts of the United States, when the amount in controversy, to be ascertained by oath or affirmation of either party, shall exceed one thousand dollars. SECT. 8. And be it further enacted, That the act of the legislature of the territory of Arkansas, passed at the last session of the legislature of said territory, in relation to the courts of said territory, so far as the provisions of said act are not inconsistent with and repugnant to this act, be, and the same is hereby affirmed, until said legislature may alter or modify the same. [325 SECT. 9. And be it further enacted, That all acts coming within the purview of this act be, and the same are hereby, repealed. And that this act shall take effect, and be in force, from and after its passage. CHAP 30 An Act authorizing the President of the United States to appoint certain agents therein mentioned. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint such agent or agents as may be usefully employed in prosecuting the designation and settlement of the line forming the north eastern boundary of the United States, and bringing the existing controversy with Great Britain relating thereto, to a speedy termination. CHAP. 31. An Act explanatory of "An Act to Be it enacted, by the Senate and House CHAP. 32. An Act for the relief of Thomas Flow- CHAP. 33. An Act for the benefit of Mary Ann CHAP. 34. An Act for the relief of John Shirkey. CHAP. 35. An Act for the relief of Anthony Her- CHAP. 36. An Act for the relief of Wm. Benning. CHAP. 38. An Act for the relief of Asa Herring. CHAP. 39. An act to extend the time allowed for the redemption of land sold for direct taxes, in certain cases. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the time allowed for the redemption of lands which have been, or may be, sold for the non-payment of taxes under the several acts passed on the second of August, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen; the ninth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifteen; and the fifth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, for laying and collecting a direct tax within the United States, so far as the same have been purchased for, or on behalf of, the United States, be revived, and be extended for the further term of three years, from and after the expiration of the present session of Congress. Provided, also, that on such re demption, interest shall be paid at the rate of twenty per centum on the taxes aforesaid, and on the additions of twenty per centum chargeable thereon; and the right of redemption shall enure, as well to the heirs and assignees of the land so purchased, on behalf of the United States, as to the originals thereof. CHAP. 40. An Act extending the limfts of certain Land Offices in Indiana, and for other purposes. SECT. 1. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That all the lands in the State of Indiana, to which the Indian title is extinguished, which lies east of the line dividing the first and second ranges east of the second principal meridian, and north of the southern boundary of the Fort Wayne District, shall be attached to the land district, the land office of which is established at Fort Wayne; and that all the lands to which the Indian title is extinguished in said state, and which may lie west of the line dividing the first and second ranges east of the second principal meridian, shall be attached to the land district, the land office of which is established at Crawfordsville. SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Surveyor General shall cause the second principal meridian to be extended to the northern boundary of the state of Indiana. Provided, the assent of the Indians be obtained to the running and marking that portion of the meridian line which may lie within the lands not ceded to the United States. CHAP. 41. An Act, in addition to the act, entitled "An act to provide for the sale of lands conveyed to the United States, in certain cases, and for other purposes," passed the twentysixth day of May, eighteen hundred and twentyfour. SECT. 1. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That in all cases where lands have been, or shall hereafter be, conveyed to, or for, the United States, for forts, arsenals, dock-yards, light-houses, or any like purpose, or in payment of debts due the United States, which shall not be used, or necessary, for the purposes for which they were purchased, or other authorized purpose, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States to cause the same to be sold, for the best price to be obtained, and to convey the same to the purchaser, by grant or otherwise. the President of the United States be auSECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That thorized to procure the assent of the legislature of any state, within which any purchase of land has been made, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards, and other needful buildings, without such consent having been obtained; and also to obtain exclusive legislation over any such tract, as is provided for in the sixteenth clause of the eighth section of the first article of the constitution; and that he be authorized to procure the like consent and exclusive legislation, as to all future purchases of land for either of those purposes. SECT. 3. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States, in all cases where lands have been conveyed for the United States to individuals or officers, be authorized to obtain from the person or persons to whom the conveyance has been made, a release of their interest to the United States. CHAP. 42. An Act authorizing the Legislative Council of Florida to meet in October, instead of December; and repealing the proviso in the sixth section of the act, entitled "An act to amend an act, for the establishment of a Territorial Government in Florida, and for other purposes," approved March the third, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three. SECT. 1. Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the Legislative Council of the territory of Florida shall begin its next ses sion on the second Monday in October, instead of December, and annually thereafter on the same day in the said month of October. SECT. 2. And be it further enacted, That the proviso in the sixth section of the act, entitled, "An act to amend an act for the establishment of a territorial government in Florida, and for other purposes," approved March the third, one thousand eight hundred and twentythree, be, and the same is hereby repealed. Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed as approving any act or acts heretofore passed by the Legislative Council of the territory of Florida. SECT. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Governor and Legislative Council, at the next session of said Council, to divide said territory into thirteen election districts, in such manner as to give to each the same number of qualified electors, as nearly as conveniently may be, and to secure to each district an equal representation; and, the said Governor and Council shall have power, from time to time, to alter and regulate the several districts in such manner as the increasing population of the territory may require. SECT. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Judges of the Superior Courts in said territory shall have power to order extra terms of said courts, or to adjourn them to any other time and place when the public interest may require it, and when, from sickness or other cause, the Judges cannot hold the regular terms, giving due notice of the same; and it shall also be lawful for the said Judges to hold courts in either of the districts, when the Judge of the district is absent, or prevented from attending by sickness or other cause. Approved 28th April, 1828. CHAP. 43. An Act to authorize the cancelling of a Bond therein mentioned. CHAP. 44. An Act making a supplementary ap propriation for the military service of the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight. CHAP. 45. An Act making appropriations for the Public Buildings, and for other purposes. SECT. 3. And be it further enacted, That from and after the fourth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine, the office of Architect of the Capitol shall cease and determine; and that the said Architect shall, on said day, deliver up to the Commissioner of the Public Buildings, all the books, plans, accounts, vouchers, and all other papers and things belonging to his office, and the said Commissioner shall take charge of, and superintend, the public buildings, and perform such other duties as may be required of him by law; and that the said Commissioner be required to reside near the Capitol. SECT. 4. And be it further enacted, That the regulations of the city of Washington, for the preservation of the public peace and order, be extended to the Capitol and Capitol Square, whenever the application of the same shall be requested by the presiding officer of either House of Congress, or the Commissioner of the public buildings; and that it shall be the duty of the Commissioner of the public buildings to obey such rules and regulations as may, from time to time, be prescribed, jointly, by the presiding officers of the two Houses of Congress, for the care, preservation, orderly keeping, and police, of all such portions of the Capitol, its appurtenances, and the enclosures about it, and the public buildings and property in its immediate vicinity, as are not in the exclusive use and occupation of either House of Congress; that it shall also be his duty to obey such rules and regulations as may be, from time to time, prescribed by the presiding officer of either House of Congress, for the care, preservation, orderly keeping, and police of those portions of the Capitol, and its appurtenances, which are in the exclusive use and occupation of either House of Congress, respectively; and that it shall also be his duty to obey such rules and regulations as may, from time to time, be prescribed by the President of the United States, for the care, preservation, orderly keeping, and police of the other public buildings and public property in the city of Washington; and the Commissioner, and his assistants, are hereby authorized and empowered to use all necessary and proper means for the discharge of the aforesaid duties; and the necessary assistants of the Commissioner shall receive a reasonable compensation for their services, to be allowed by the presiding officers of the two Houses of Congress; one moiety of the said sums to be paid out of the contingent fund of the Senate, and the other moiety of the same |