United States Statutes at Large/Volume 1/3rd Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 27
[Obsolete.]
Chap. ⅩⅩⅦ.—An Act to establish the Office of Purveyor of Public Supplies.
Purveyor of public supplies to be appointed.
His duty, &c.
Abolished by act of 1812, ch. 46.
1798, ch. 85, sec. 4, 5.
Letters free.Section 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there shall be in the department of the treasury, an officer to be denominated, “Purveyor of Public Supplies,” whose duty it shall be, under the direction and supervision of the Secretary of the Treasury, to conduct the procuring and providing of all arms, military and naval stores, provisions, clothing, Indian goods, and generally all articles of supply, requisite for the service of the United States, and whose compensation shall be, a salary of two thousand dollars per annum. And all letters to and from the said officer shall he received and conveyed by post free of postage.
His disqualifications.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said officer shall not directly or indirectly, be concerned, or interested, in carrying on the business of trade or commerce, or be owner in whole or in part, of any sea vessel, or purchase by himself, or another in trust for him, public lands, or any other public property, or be concerned in the purchase or disposal of any public securities of any state, or of the United States, or take, or apply to his own use, any emolument or gain, for negotiating or transacting any business in the said department, other than what shall be allowed by law; and if he shall offend against any of the prohibitions of this act, he shall upon conviction, forfeit to the United States, Penalty.the penalty of three thousand dollars, and may be imprisoned for a term not exceeding five years, and shall be removed from office, and be forever thereafter incapable of holding any office under the United States.
To give bond.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said officer shall, before he enters on the duties of his office, give bond with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, and Comptroller, in the sum of twenty thousand dollars, payable to the United States, with condition for the faithful performance of the duties of his said office; which bond shall be lodged in the office of the Comptroller.
Approved, February 23, 1795.