ledge of some useful trade, occupation or profession, un- in the City of Washington, with all convenient despatch, der such conditions as may be determined by the by- to arrange and docket the several claims, and to consider laws, a copy of which conditions shall be delivered to, the evidence which shall have been, or which may be of and they shall be binding on every person to whom any fered by the respective claimants, allowing such further child may be so bound; that there may also be estab-time for the production of such further evidence as may lished, in connexion with Saint Vincent's Orphan's Asy-be required, and as they shall think reasonable and just; lum, schools for the daily attendance of children whose parents or guardians are or may be unable to pay for their instruction, or whose parents or guardians may contribute towards the support of the Asylum, under such regulations as may be made in the by-laws.

and they shall thereupon proceed to determine the s claims, and to award distribution of the sums to be teceived by the United States from the King of Denmark, under the stipulations of the Convention aforesaid, among the several claimants, according to their respective rights. Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That any vacancy Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said com which, from death, resignation, or otherwise, may hap missioners shall be, and they are hereby, authorized an pen in the Board of Trustees, shall be filled according to empowered to make all needful rules and regulations, the mode to be prescribed in the by-laws; that they not contravening the laws of the land, the provisions of may hold such meetings as they shall think proper, and, this act, or the provisions of the said Convention, for car to give form to their proceedings, may appoint such off-rying their said commission into full and complete effect. cers as they may deem necessary, and provide proper checks and responsibilities for the security of the property and funds of the corporation aforesaid; that they shall keep a journal of their proceedings, upon which the by-laws shall be recorded; and that they shall make report, at the annual meeting to be held in June, of the affairs and condition of the institution for the preceding year.

Sec 7. And be it further enacted, That it may be law. ful for Congress hereafter to alter, amend, modify, or repeal the foregoing act.

Approved February 25, 1831.

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to point a Secretary to the said commission.

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the said commissioners and Secretary shall severally take an oath for the faithful performance of the duties of their respective

offices.

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the compensa tion of the respective officers for whose appointment prevision is made by this act shall not exceed the following sums to each of the said commissioners at the rate three thousand dollars per annum, and to the Secretary AN ACT to provide for the adjustment of claims of per- of the Board at the rate of two thousand dollars per a sons entitled to indemnification under the convention num; and the President of the United States shall be between the United States and his Majesty the King and he is hereby, authorized to make such provision for of Denmark, of the twenty-eighth March, eighteen the contingent expenses of the said commission as sh hundred and thirty, and for the distribution among such appear to him reasonable and proper; and the said sa claimants, of the sums to be paid by the Danish Go-ries and expenses shall be paid out of any money in the vernment to that of the United States, according to the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated. stipulation of the said convention.

Be it enacted, &c. That the commissioners who are or may be appointed by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, in pursuance of the third article of the convention between the United States of America and his Majesty the King of Denmark, signed at Copenhagen the twenty-eighth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty, shall meet at Washington City, in the District of Columbia, and, within the space of two years from the time of their first meeting, shall receive, examine, and decide upon the amount and validity of all such claims as may be presented to them, and are provided for by the convention referred to, according to the merits of the several cases, and to justice, equity, and the law of nations and according to the provisions of said convention.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That all records, do- | cuments, or other papers, which now are in, or hereaf ter, during the continuance of this commission, may come into the possession of the Department of State, in relation to such claims, shall be delivered to the commission aforesaid.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said commissioners, or a majority of them, with their Secretary, whose appointment is hereinafter provided for, shall convene in this city on the first Monday of April next, and shall proceed to execute the duties of their commission; and the Secretary of State shall be, and he is hereby, authorized and required forthwith after the passing of this act, to give notice of the said intended meeting, to be published in one or more public gazettes in the city of Washington, and in such other public papers, published elsewhere in the United States, as he may de signate.

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the said com missioners shall proceed immediately after their meeting

Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That all moneys to be received from the Danish Government under the covention aforesaid, shall be paid into the Treasury of the United States, and shall constitute a fund for satisfying the awards of the commission provided for by this act

Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That all commu cations to or from the Secretary of the Board of Comm sioners on the business of the commission, shall pass by mail free of postage.

Sec. 11. And be it further enacted, That as soon as the
said commission shall be executed and completed, the
records, documents, and all other papers in the posses
sion of the commission or its officers shall be deposite
in the office of the Secretary of State.
Approved: February 25, 1831.

AN ACT for the Punishment of Crimes in the District
Columbia.

Sec. 1. Be it enacted, &e That, from and after the
passage of this act, every person who shall be convicted
in any court in the District of Columbia, of any of the
following offences, to wit: manslaughter, assault
battery with intent to kill, arson, rape, assault and bat
tery with intent to commit a rape, burglary, robber
horse stealing, mayhem, bigamy, perjury, or subornat
of perjury, larceny, if the property stolen is of the val
of five dollars or upwards, forgery, obtaining by fals
pretences any goods or chattels, money, bank note, pr
missory note, or any other instrument in writing for the
payment or delivery of money or other valuable thing,
of keeping a faro bank or other common gaming table, p
ty larceny upon a second conviction, committed after
passage of this act, shall be sentenced to suffer purs
ment by imprisonment and labor, for the time and t
hereinafter prescribed, in the penitentiary for the D-
trict of Columbia.

Laws of the United States.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That every person duly convicted of manslaughter, or of any assault and battery with intent to kill, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor, for the first offence for a period not less than two nor more than eight years, for the second offence for a period not less than six nor more than fifteen years.

Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That every person duly convicted of the crime of maliciously, wilfully, or fraudulently burning any dwelling house, or any other house, barn or stable adjoining thereto, or any store, barn or out-house, having goods, tobacco, hay or grain therein, although the same shall not be adjoining to any dwelling house; or of maliciously and wilfully burning any of the public buildings in the cities, towns, or counties of the District of Columbia, belonging to the United States, or the said cities, towns or counties; or any church, meeting-house, or other building for public worship, belonging to any voluntary society, or body corporate; or any college, academy, school-house, or library; or any ship or vessel, afloat or building; or as being accessary thereto, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor, for a period of not less than one, nor more than ten years for the first offence, and not less than five nor more than twenty years for the second

[21st CoNG. 2d SESS.

stealing of which is made punishable by this act, to the value of five dollars or upwards, knowing them to have been stolen, or of being an accessary after the fact in any felony, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor, for the first offence for a period not less than one nor more than five years, and for the second offence for a period not less than two nor more than ten years. Sec. 11. And be it further enacted, That every person duly convicted of having falsely forged and counterfeited any gold or silver coin, which now is, or shall hereafter be, passing or in circulation within the District of Columbia; or of having falsely uttered, paid, or tendered in payment, any such counterfeit or forged coin, knowing the same to be forged and counterfeit; or of having aided, abetted or commanded the perpetration of either of the said offences; or of having falsely made, altered, forg. ed, or counterfeited, or caused or procured to be falsely made, altered, forged, or counterfeited, or having willingly aided or assisted in falsely making, altering, forging, or counterfeiting, any paper, writing, or printed paper, to the prejudice of the right of any other person, body politic, or corporate, or voluntary association, with intent to defraud such person, body politic or corporate, or voluntary association, or of having passed, uttered, or published, or attempted to pass, utter or publish, as true, any such falsely made, altered, forged, or counterfeited pa Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That every free per, writing or printed paper, to the prejudice of the right person duly convicted of rape, or as being accessary of any other person, body politic or corporate, or volunthereto before the fact, shall be sentenced to suffer im-tary association, knowing the same to be falsely made, prisonment and labor, for the first offence for a period altered, forged, or counterfeited, with intent to defraud not less than ten nor more than thirty years, and for the such person, body politic or corporate, or voluntary as second offence for and during the period of his natural sociation, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor, for the first offence for a period not less than one Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That every free per-year nor more than seven years, for the second offence, son duly convicted of an assault and battery, with intent for a period not less than three nor more than ten years, to commit a rape, shall be punished for the first offence Sec. 12. And be it further enacted, That every person by undergoing confinement in the Penitentiary for a pe. duly convicted of obtaining by false pretences any goods riod not less than one nor more than five years, and for or chattels, money, bank note, promissory note, or any the second for a period not less than five nor more than other instrument in writing, for the payment or delivery fifteen years, of money or other valuable thing, or of keeping a faro bank or gaming table, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor, for a period not less than one year, nor more than five years and every person, so offending, shall be a competent witness against every other person offending in the same transaction, and may be compelled to appear and give evidence in the same manner as other persons; but the testimony so given shall not be used in any prosecution or proceeding, civil or criminal, against the person so testifying.

offence.

life.

Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That every person duly convicted of burglary, or as accessary thereto before the fact, or of robbery, or as accessary thereto before the fact, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor for the first offence for a period not less than three nor more than seven years, and for the second offence for a period not less than five nor more than fifteen years.

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That every person convicted of horse stealing, mayhem, bigamy, or as being accessary to any of said crimes before the fact, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor, for the first offence for a period not less than two nor more than seven years, and for the second offence for a period not less than five nor more than twelve years.

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That every person convicted of perjury, or subornation of perjury, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor, for the first offence for a period not less than two nor more than ten years, and for the second offence for a period not less than five nor more than fifteen years.

Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That every person convicted of feloniously stealing, taking, and carrying away, any goods or chattels, or other personal property, of the value of five dollars or upwards, or any bank note, promissory note, or any other instrument of writing, for the payment or delivery of money or other valuable thing, to the amount of five dollars or upwards, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor, for the first offence for a period not less than one nor more than three years, and for the second offence for a period not less than three nor more than ten years.

Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That every person convicted of receiving stolen goods, or any article the

Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, That every person, upon a second conviction of larceny, where the property stolen is under the value of five collars, or upon a second conviction of receiving stolen goods, knowing them to be stolen, where the property stolen is under the va lue of five dollars, shall be sentenced to suffer imprisonment and labor, for a period not less than one nor more than three years.

Sec. 14. And be it further enacted, That all capital felonies and crimes in the District of Columbia, not herein specially provided for, except murder, treason, and piracy, shall hereafter be punished by imprisonment and labor in the Penitentiary of said District, for a period not less than seven nor more than twenty years.

Sec. 15. And be it further enacted, That every other felony, misdemeanor, or offence not provided for by this act, may and shall be punished as heretofore, except that, in all cases where whipping is part or the whole of the punishment, except, in the cases of slaves, the court shall substitute therefor imprisonment in the county jail, for a period not exceeding six months.

Sec. 16. And be it further enacted, That all definitions and descriptions of crimes; all fines, forfeitures, and incapacities, the restitution of property, or the payment of

For fortifications at Charleston, South Carolina, forty-hereby is, granted to the Trustees of the town of Shar Sec. 2. And be it further enucled, That there be, and

Be it enacted, &c. That the Secretary of the Treasury shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to extend relief to any importer of foreign merchandise who may have been charged, under the provisions of the third section of the act, entitled "An act, for the more effectual collection of the duties on imports," passed the twentyeighth day of May, one thousand eight hundred and thirty, with any duty in addition to the duties existing on such merchandise previous to the passage of said act, to the amount of such additional duty: Provided, said merchandise shall have been imported previous to the first

Laws of the United States.

nine dollars and eighty-seven cents, with interest from ninth June, one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, until paid, and costs, which the sureties of the late Robert Brent have assigned to the United States: And provided, further, That those who are legally authorized to convey the said land shall make and execute a good title thereto, in fee simple, with an acquittance of all claims against the United States, for the previous use or occupation of all or any portion of the premises, or for any alleged injury to an adjacent fishery, the right and title to which is to be released to the United States.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That, upon the completion of the above purchase, on the terms and conditions specified, the proper officer of the United States shall be, and he hereby is, authorized to enter up satisfaction upon the judgment aforesaid. Approved, March 2, 1831.

AN ACT for the relief of William Clower.

Be it enacted, &c. That the Postmaster General be, and he hereby is, authorized and directed to settle the claim of William Clower, for carrying the mail between Greenville and Fayette, Mississippi, upon principles of equity and justice.

Approved, March 2, 1831.

[21st CoNG. 2d SESS.

AN ACT for the relief of John Daly, late of Canada. Be it enacted, &c. That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he hereby is, directed to pay to John Daly, late of New Ark, in the province of Upper Canada, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five thousand dollars, being for supplies furnished in Canada, and for losses of property sustained by him on and services rendered to the army of the United States the Niagara frontier during the late war. Approved March 2. 1831.

AN ACT for thre relief of Nathaniel Cheever, and others. Be it enacted, &c. That there be paid, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to NaAN ACT for the relief of Simeon C. Whittier. thaniel Cheever, Ariel Mann, Benjamin Dearborn, ThoBe it enacted, &c. That there be paid to Simeon C. mas B. Coolidge, and Stephen Tuckerman, who were Whittier, of Hallowell, in the State of Maine, out of any formerly inhabitants of the town of Hallowell, in the money in the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated, the State of Maine, each and severally, the principal sum of principal sum of three hundred and fifty-six dollars and three hundred and fifty-six dollars and fifty-three cents, fifty-three cents, with interest thereon, at the rate of six with interest thereon, at the rate of six per centum per per centam per annum, from the twelfth day of July, one annum, from the twelfth day of July, one thousand eight thousand eight hundred and twenty; and, also, the fur- hundred and twenty; and also the further principal sum ther principal sum of one hundred dollars, with interest of one hundred dollars each, with interest thereon, at thereon, at the rate of six per centum per annum, from the rate of six per centum per annum, from the ninth day the ninth day of September, one thousand eight hundred of September, one thousand eight hundred and twenty, and twenty; and, also, the further principal sum of two the said several sums having been illegally demanded hundred and one dollars and two cents, with interest and received by the United States of each of the abovethereon, at the rate of six per centum per annum, from mentioned persons, as one of the sureties of Daniel the thirty-first day of May, one thousand eight hundred Evans, formerly a collector of the direct taxes and interand twenty-eight; the said several sums having been il-nal duties for the fourth collection district in Massachulegally demanded and received by the United States of said Whittier, as one of the sureties of Daniel Evans, formerly a Collector of the Direct Taxes and Internal Duties for the fourth collection district in Massachusetts. Approved March 2, 1831.

AN ACT for the relief of Ebenezer Rollins.

Be it enacted, &c. That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized to pay to Ebenezer Rollins, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise ap propriated, twelve hundred and forty-eight dollars and fifty cents, being the amount of drawback on twenty-nine hogsheads, four barrels, and fifty-two bags of coffee, which were exported in the ship Rebecca Coffin, for Gottenburg, although the said ship did not proceed to sea until after the expiration of twelve months from the time of the entry of the said merchandise: Provided, That the said merchandise was shipped on board said vessel, and cleared at the custom-house, before the expiration of twelve months from the time of its entry, and that all the

setts.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That, if said Cheever, Mann, Dearborn, Coolidge, and Tuckerman, or any of them, have deceased, or shall decease before the payment shall be made to each of them, respectively, as above provided, then said sums of three hundred and fifty-six dollars and fifty-three cents, and one hundred dollars, with interest as aforesaid, shall be paid to the executors or administrators of each of the said persons so

deceased.

Approved: March 2, 1831.

AN ACT for the relief of Peters and Pond. Be it enacted, &c. That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he hereby is, directed to pay to Peters and Pond, merchants of Boston, the sum of seventeen thousand eight hundred and twenty-two dollars and forty-five cents, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appro priated; being the moiety paid into the Treasury of the United States on the sale of their schooner Anna and her

Be it enacted, &c. That, for public services, losses, and sacrifices, the sum of thirty thousand dollars is hereby appropriated to be paid to James Monroe, immediately after the passing of this act, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, which shall be in full of all demands of the said James Monroe for claims aforesaid: Provided, The accounting officer of the Treasury Department shall, upon an examination of his ac. counts, believe so much is due to him upon the princi-hundred dollars. ples of equity and justice.

For compensation to the clerks and messengers in the office of the First Comptroller, nineteen thousand one

For compensation to the Second Comptroller of the Treasury, three thousand dollars.

For compensation to the clerks and messenger in the Go-office of the Second Comptroller, ten thousand four bundred and fifty dollars.

For pay and mileage of the Members of Congress and Delegates, three hundred and seven thousand nine hun-sury, three thousand dollars. dred and sixty eight dollars.

For pay of the Officers and Clerks of both Houses, thirty-four thousand three hundred dollars.