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.
Documents.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That all records, documents, or other papers, which now are in, or hereafter, 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.
Day of first meeting.
Notice thereof.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, and he may designate.
Claims to be examined, &c.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the said commissioners shall proceed immediately after their meeting in the city of Washington, with all convenient despatch, to arrange and docket the several claims, and to consider the evidence which shall have been, or which may be offered by the respective claimants,Time for producing evidence. allowing such further time for the production of such further evidence as may be required, as as they shall think reasonable and just; and they shall thereupon proceed to determine the said claims, and to award distribution of the sums to be received 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.
Powers to make rules.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said commissioner shall be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered to make all needful rules and regulations, not contravening the laws of the land, the provisions of this act, or the provisions of the said convention, for carrying their said commission into full and complete effect.
Secretary.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 appoint a secretary to the said commission.
Oath.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.
Compensation.Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the compensation of the respective officers for whose appointment provision is made by this act shall not exceed the following sums: to each of the said commissioners at the rate of three thousand dollars per annum, and to the secretary of the board at the rate of two thousand dollars per annum;Contingent expenses. and the President of the United States shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to make such provision for the contingent expenses of the said commission as shall appear to him reasonable and proper; and the said salaries and expenses shall be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Money received from the Danish government.Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That all moneys to be received from the Danish government under the convention 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.
Postage.Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That all communications to or from the secretary of the board of commissioners 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 possession of the commission or its officers, shall be deposited in the office of the Secretary of State.
Approved, February 25, 1831.
