United States Statutes at Large/Volume 1/5th Congress

by United States Congress

1st Session

Public Laws

ACTS OF THE FIFTH CONGRESS

of the

UNITED STATES

Passed at the first session, which was begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, on Monday, the fifteenth day of May, 1797, and ended on the eighth of July, 1797.

John Adams, President; Thomas Jefferson, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate; William Bradford, President of the Senate pro tempore, from July 6th; Jonathan Dayton, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Layout 3

	Chapter	Title	Date
1	Chapter I.	An Act to prevent citizens of the United States from Privateering against nations in amity with, or against citizens of the United States.	June 14, 1797
2	Chapter II.	An Act prohibiting, for a limited time, the Exportation of Arms and Ammunition, and for encouraging the Importation thereof.	June 14, 1797
3	Chapter III.	An Act to provide for the further Defence of the Ports and Harbors of the United States.	June 23, 1797
4	Chapter IV.	An Act authorizing a detachment from the Militia of the United States.	June 24, 1797
5	Chapter V.	An Act in addition to an act, entitled “An act concerning the registering and recording of Ships and Vessels.”	June 27, 1797
6	Chapter VI.	An Act directing the appointment of Agents, in relation to the sixth article of the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation, between the United States and Great Britain.	June 30, 1797
7	Chapter VII.	An Act providing a Naval Armament.	July 1, 1797
8	Chapter VIII.	An Act to ascertain the time for the next meeting of Congress, and to repeal the act heretofore passed for that purpose.	July 1, 1797
9	Chapter IX.	An Act for reviving and continuing suits and process in the Circuit Court for the district of North Carolina.	July 5, 1797
10	Chapter X.	An Act to continue in force to the end of the next session, certain acts, and parts of acts, of limited duration.	July 5, 1797
11	Chapter XI.	An Act laying Duties on stamped Vellum, Parchment and Paper.	July 6, 1797
12	Chapter XII.	An Act in addition to the law of the United States, concerning Consuls and Vice Consuls.	July 6, 1797
13	Chapter XIII.	An Act for allowing full mileage to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States.	July 6, 1797
14	Chapter XIV.	An Act to revive and continue in force, for a limited time, an act, intituled “An act authorizing the transfer of stock standing to the credit of certain States.”	July 6, 1797
15	Chapter XV.	An Act laying an additional Duty on Salt imported into the United States, and for other purposes.	July 8, 1797
16	Chapter XVI.	An Act authorizing a Loan of Money.	July 8, 1797
17	Chapter XVII.	An Act making additional appropriations for the support of Government, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven.	July 10, 1797

2nd Session

Public Laws

ACTS OF THE FIFTH CONGRESS

of the

UNITED STATES,

Passed at the second session, which was begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania, on Monday, the thirteenth day of November, 1797, and ended on the sixteenth day of July, 1798.

John Adams, President; Thomas Jefferson, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate; Theodore Sedgwick, President of the Senate pro tempore, from June 27th; Jonathan Dayton, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

	Chapter	Title	Date
1	Chapter I.	An Act to postpone, for a limited time, the commencement of the duties imposed by the act intituled “An act laying duties on stamped vellum, parchment and paper.”	Dec. 15, 1797
2	Chapter II.	An Act making certain partial appropriations for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight.	Jan. 15, 1798
3	Chapter III.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Jan. 15, 1798
4	Chapter IV.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Jan. 15, 1798
5	Chapter V.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Jan. 15, 1798
6	Chapter VI.	An Act for allowing a compensation to the Doorkeeper of the Senate, and his assistant, for their services during the late Session of Congress.	Jan. 20, 1798
7	Chapter VII.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Jan. 20, 1798
8	Chapter VIII.	An Act to prescribe the mode of taking Evidence in cases of contested Elections for Members of the House of Representatives of the United States, and to compel the attendance of Witnesses.	Jan. 23, 1798
9	Chapter IX.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Jan. 23, 1798
10	Chapter X.	An Act to amend the several acts for laying duties on Spirits distilled within the United States, and on Stills.	Jan. 29, 1798
11	Chapter XI.	An Act supplementary to the act intituled “An act regulating Foreign Coins, and for other purposes.”	Feb. 1, 1798
12	Chapter XII.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Feb. 2, 1798
13	Chapter XIII.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Feb. 27, 1798
14	Chapter XIV.	An Act appropriating a certain sum of Money to defray the expense of holding a Treaty or Treaties with the Indians.	Feb. 27, 1798
15	Chapter XV.	An Act to provide for the Widows and Orphans of certain deceased Officers.	March 14, 1798
16	Chapter XVI.	An Act for the erection of a Lighthouse, and placing Buoys at the several places therein named.	March 14, 1798
17	Chapter XVII.	An Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations.	March 19, 1798
18	Chapter XVIII.	An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight; and for other purposes.	March 19, 1798
19	Chapter XIX.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	March 19, 1798
20	Chapter XX.	An Act to amend the act intituled “An act laying duties on stamped vellum, parchment and paper.”	March 19, 1798
21	Chapter XXI.	An Act declaring the consent of Congress to an Act of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.	March 27, 1798
22	Chapter XXII.	An Act declaring the consent of Congress to an Act of the State of Maryland, passed the twenty-eighth of December, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three, for the appointment of a Health Officer.	March 27, 1798
23	Chapter XXIII.	An Act for an additional appropriation to provide and support a Naval Armament.	March 27, 1798
24	Chapter XXIV.	An Act to continue in force the fifth section of an act intituled “An act in addition to the act intituled, An act to establish the Post-Office and Post Roads within the United States.”	March 28, 1798
25	Chapter XXV.	An Act to continue in force for a limited time, a part of an act intituled “An act making further provision for securing and collecting the duties on foreign and domestic distilled spirits, stills, wines, and teas.”	April 7, 1798
26	Chapter XXVI.	An Act for the relief of the Refugees from the British provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia.	April 7, 1798
27	Chapter XXVII.	An Act to continue in force, the act, intituled “An act prohibiting, for a limited time, the exportation of arms and ammunition; and for encouraging the importation thereof.”	April 7, 1798
28	Chapter XXVIII.	An Act for amicable settlement of limits with the state of Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a government in the Mississippi territory.	April 7, 1798
29	Chapter XXIX.	An Act authorizing an expenditure, and making an appropriation for the reimbursement of monies advanced by the Consuls of the United States, in certain cases.	April 18, 1798
30	Chapter XXX.	An Act supplementary to an act intituled “An act authorizing a loan for the use of the City of Washington, in the District of Columbia; and for other purposes therein mentioned.”	April 18, 1798
31	Chapter XXXI.	An Act to provide an additional Armament for the further protection of the trade of the United States; and for other purposes.	April 27, 1798
32	Chapter XXXII.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	April 27, 1798
33	Chapter XXXIII.	An Act to provide an additional regiment of Artillerists and Engineers.	April 27, 1798
34	Chapter XXXIV.	An Act for erecting Lighthouses, and placing buoys and stakes at the places therein mentioned.	April 27, 1798
35	Chapter XXXV.	An Act to establish an Executive department, to be denominated the Department of the Navy.	April 30, 1798
36	Chapter XXXVI.	An Act to authorize certain Officers and other persons to administer oaths.	May 3, 1798
37	Chapter XXXVII.	An Act supplementary to the act providing for the further defence of the ports and harbors of the United States.	May 3, 1798
38	Chapter XXXVIII.	An Act to enable the President of the United States to procure Cannon, Arms and Ammunition, and for other purposes.	May 4, 1798
39	Chapter XXXIX.	An Act to authorize the President of the United States to cause to be purchased, or built, a number of small vessels to be equipped as gallies, or otherwise.	May 4, 1798
40	Chapter XL.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	May 4, 1798
41	Chapter XLI.	An Act directing the payment of a detachment of Militia, for services performed in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, under Major James Ore.	May 8, 1798
42	Chapter XLII.	An Act, to continue in force, a part of an act respecting the compensation to the Officers and Mariners of the Revenue Cutters.	May 8, 1798
43	Chapter XLIII.	An Act to revive and continue in force, the act respecting the compensation of clerks, and for other purposes.	May 14, 1798
44	Chapter XLIV.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	May 14, 1798
45	Chapter XLV.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	May 22, 1798
46	Chapter XLVI.	An Act to amend the act intituled “An act to amend and repeal, in part, the act intituled An act to ascertain and fix the military establishment of the United States.”	May 22, 1798
47	Chapter XLVII.	An Act authorizing the President of the United States to raise a Provisional Army.	May 28, 1798
48	Chapter XLVIII.	An Act more effectually to protect the Commerce and Coasts of the United States.	May 28, 1798
49	Chapter XLIX.	An Act providing for the relief of persons imprisoned for Debts due to the United States.	June 6, 1798
50	Chapter L.	An Act supplementary to an act intituled “An act for the relief of persons imprisoned for Debt.”	June 6, 1798
51	Chapter LI.	An Act respecting loan office and final settlement certificates, indents of interest, and the unfunded or registered debt credited in the books of the Treasury.	June 12, 1798
52	Chapter LII.	An Act making appropriations for the Military establishment, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight; and for other purposes.	June 12, 1798
53	Chapter LIII.	An Act to suspend the commercial intercourse between the United States and France, and the dependencies thereof.	June 13, 1798
54	Chapter LIV.	An Act supplementary to and to amend the act, intituled “An act to establish an uniform rule of naturalization; and to repeal the act heretofore passed on that subject.”	June 18, 1798
55	Chapter LV.	An Act to amend the act, intituled “An act providing a Naval Armament,” and the act, intituled, “An act to authorize the President of the United States to cause to be purchased or built, a number of small vessels, to be equipped as gallies or otherwise.”	June 22, 1798
56	Chapter LVI.	An Act to extend the privilege of franking letters and packets to the Secretary of the Navy.	June 22, 1798
57	Chapter LVII.	An Act supplementary to, and to amend the act, intituled “An act authorizing the President of the United States to raise a provisional army.”	June 22, 1798
58	Chapter LVIII.	An Act concerning Aliens.	June 25, 1798
59	Chapter LIX.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	June 25, 1798
60	Chapter LX.	An Act to authorize the defence of the Merchant Vessels of the United States against French depredations.	June 25, 1798
61	Chapter LXI.	An Act to punish frauds committed on the Bank of the United States.	June 27, 1798
62	Chapter LXII.	An Act in addition to the act more effectually to protect the Commerce and Coasts of the United States.	June 28, 1798
63	Chapter LXIII.	An Act making an appropriation for the expenses incident to the new Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, during the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight.	June 28, 1798
64	Chapter LXIV.	An Act supplementary to the act intituled “An act to provide an additional Armament for the further protection of the trade of the United States, and for other purposes.”	June 30, 1798
65	Chapter LXV.	An Act providing Arms for the Militia throughout the United States.	July 6, 1798
66	Chapter LXVI.	An Act respecting Alien Enemies.	July 6, 1798
67	Chapter LXVII.	An Act to declare the treaties heretofore concluded with France, no longer obligatory on the United States.	July 7, 1798
68	Chapter LXVIII.	An Act further to protect the Commerce of the United States.	July 9, 1798
69	Chapter LXIX.	An Act limiting the time, within which claims against the United States, for credits on the books of the Treasury, may be presented for allowance.	July 9, 1798
70	Chapter LXX.	An Act to provide for the valuation of Lands and Dwelling-Houses, and the enumeration of Slaves within the United States.	July 9, 1798
71	Chapter LXXI.	An Act to regulate and fix the compensations of the officers employed in collecting the internal revenues of the United States, and to insure more effectually the settlement of their accounts.	July 11, 1798
72	Chapter LXXII.	An Act for the establishing and organizing a Marine Corps.	July 11, 1798
73	Chapter LXXIII.	An Act establishing an annual salary for the Surveyor of the Port of Gloucester.	July 14, 1798
74	Chapter LXXIV.	An Act in addition to the act, entitled “An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States.”	July 14, 1798
75	Chapter LXXV.	An Act to lay and collect a direct tax within the United States.	July 14, 1798
76	Chapter LXXVI.	An Act to augment the Army of the United States, and for other purposes.	July 16, 1798
77	Chapter LXXVII.	An Act for the relief of sick and disabled Seamen.	July 16, 1798
78	Chapter LXXVIII.	An Act for erecting a Lighthouse at Gay-head, on Martha’s Vineyard; and for other purposes.	July 16, 1798
79	Chapter LXXIX.	An Act to enable the President of the United States to borrow money for the public service.	July 16, 1798
80	Chapter LXXX.	An Act to suspend, for a further time, the duties upon the manufacture of Snuff within the United States, and the drawbacks upon the exportation thereof.	July 16, 1798
81	Chapter LXXXI.	An Act for allowing an additional compensation to the doorkeepers and assistant doorkeepers of the Senate and House of Representatives, for their services during the present session of Congress.	July 16, 1798
82	Chapter LXXXII.	An Act to make a further appropriation for the additional Naval Armament.	July 16, 1798
83	Chapter LXXXIII.	An Act in further addition to the act, intituled “An act to establish the Judicial Courts of the United States.”	July 16, 1798
84	Chapter LXXXIV.	An Act making certain appropriations; and to authorize the President to obtain a Loan on the credit of the direct tax.	July 16, 1798
85	Chapter LXXXV.	An Act to alter and amend the several acts for the establishment and regulation of the Treasury, War and Navy Departments.	July 16, 1798
86	Chapter LXXXVI.	An Act making certain additional appropriations for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight.	July 16, 1798
87	Chapter LXXXVII.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	July 16, 1798
88	Chapter LXXXVIII.	An Act to amend the act entitled “An act to suspend the Commercial Intercourse between the United States and France, and the dependencies thereof.”	July 16, 1798
89	Chapter LXXXIX.	An Act allowing an additional compensation to the Secretary of the Senate, and Clerk of the House of Representatives, and to their Clerks, for their services, during the present session of Congress.	July 16, 1798

Public Resolutions

Resolution	Date
Resolution 1.	June 22, 1798

3rd Session

Public Laws

ACTS OF THE FIFTH CONGRESS

of the

UNITED STATES,

Passed at the third session, which was begun and held at the City of Philadelphia, in the state of Pennsylvania, on Monday, the third day of December, 1798, and ended on the third day of March, 1799.

John Adams, President; Thomas Jefferson, Vice President of the United States, and President of the Senate; James Ross, President of the Senate pro tempore, from March 2d, 1799; Jonathan Dayton, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

	Chapter	Title	Date
1	Chapter I.	An Act for the punishment of certain Crimes therein specified.	Jan. 30, 1799
2	Chapter II.	An Act further to suspend the Commercial Intercourse between the United States and France, and the dependencies thereof.	Feb. 9, 1799
3	Chapter III.	An Act respecting Balances reported against certain States, by the Commissioners appointed to settle the Accounts between the United States and the several States.	Feb. 15, 1799
4	Chapter IV.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Feb. 15, 1799
5	Chapter V.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Feb. 19, 1799
6	Chapter VI.	An Act to authorize the reimbursement of monies expended in rendering aid to sick and destitute American Seamen, in foreign countries.	Feb. 19, 1799
7	Chapter VII.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Feb. 19, 1799
8	Chapter VIII.	An Act to amend an act entitled “An act giving effect to the Laws of the United States within the district of Tennessee.”	Feb. 19, 1799
9	Chapter IX.	An Act appropriating a certain sum of money to defray the expense of holding a Treaty or Treaties with the Indians.	Feb. 19, 1799
10	Chapter X.	An Act fixing the pay of the Captains and Commanders of ships and vessels of war of the United States.	Feb. 25, 1799
11	Chapter XI.	An Act making appropriations for defraying the expenses which may arise, in carrying into effect certain Treaties between the United States and several tribes or nations of Indians.	Feb. 25, 1799
12	Chapter XII.	An Act respecting Quarantines and Health Laws.	Feb. 25, 1799
13	Chapter XIII.	An Act for the augmentation of the Navy.	Feb. 25, 1799
14	Chapter XIV.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	Feb. 25, 1799
15	Chapter XV.	An Act authorizing the establishment of Docks.	Feb. 25, 1799
16	Chapter XVI.	An Act authorizing the purchase of Timber for naval purposes.	Feb. 25, 1799
17	Chapter XVII.	An Act to alter the Stamp Duties imposed upon Foreign Bills of Exchange and Bills of Lading, by an act intituled “An act laying duties on stamped vellum, parchment and paper;” and further to amend the same.	Feb. 28, 1799
18	Chapter XVIII.	An Act concerning French Citizens that have been, or may be captured and brought into the United States.	Feb. 28, 1799
19	Chapter XIX.	An Act providing compensation for the Marshals, Clerks, Attornies, Jurors and Witnesses in the Courts of the United States, and to repeal certain parts of the acts therein mentioned; and for other purposes.	Feb. 28, 1799
20	Chapter XX.	An Act to amend the act intituled “An act to provide for the valuation of lands and dwelling-houses, and the enumeration of slaves within the United States.”	Feb. 28, 1799
21	Chapter XXI.	An Act altering the time of holding the District Court in Vermont.	Feb. 28, 1799
22	Chapter XXII.	An Act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage.	March 2, 1799
23	Chapter XXIII.	An Act to establish the compensations of the officers employed in the collection of the duties on imports and tonnage, and for other purposes.	March 2, 1799
24	Chapter XXIV.	An Act for the Government of the Navy of the United States.	March 2, 1799
25	Chapter XXV.	An Act making appropriations for the support of Government for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine.	March 2, 1799
26	Chapter XXVI.	An Act respecting Distillers of Geneva.	March 2, 1799
27	Chapter XXVII.	An Act to regulate the Medical Establishment.	March 2, 1799
28	Chapter XXVIII.	An Act making additional appropriations for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine.	March 2, 1799
29	Chapter XXIX.	An Act to amend the act intituled “An act regulating the grands of land appropriated for military services, and for the Society of the United Brethren, for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen.”	March 2, 1799
30	Chapter XXX.	An Act in addition to an act intituled “An act for the more general promulgation of the Laws of the United States.”	March 2, 1799
31	Chapter XXXI.	An Act giving eventual authority to the President of the United States to augment the Army.	March 2, 1799
32	Chapter XXXII.	An Act providing for the security of Bail in certain cases.	March 2, 1799
33	Chapter XXXIII.	An Act to grant an additional compensation, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine, to certain officers of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States.	March 2, 1799
34	Chapter XXXIV.	An Act to authorize the sale of certain lands between the Great and Little Miami rivers in the territory of the United States northwest of the Ohio; and for giving a pre-emption to certain purchasers and settlers.	March 2, 1799
35	Chapter XXXV.	See Private Acts of the Fifth Congress in Volume 6.	March 2, 1799
36	Chapter XXXVI.	An Act in addition to “An act for the relief of sick and disabled Seamen.”	March 2, 1799
37	Chapter XXXVII.	An Act authorizing an augmentation of the Marine Corps.	March 2, 1799
38	Chapter XXXVIII.	An Act to augment the Salaries of the Officers therein mentioned.	March 2, 1799
39	Chapter XXXIX.	An Act to erect a Beacon on Boon Island.	March 2, 1799
40	Chapter XL.	An Act to regulate and fix the Compensation of Clerks.	March 2, 1799
41	Chapter XLI.	An Act to revive and continue in force, certain parts of the “Act for the relief and protection of American seamen,” and to amend the same.	March 2, 1799
42	Chapter XLII.	An Act making appropriations for the support of the Naval Establishment, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine.	March 2, 1799
43	Chapter XLIII.	An Act to establish the Post-Office of the United States.	March 2, 1799
44	Chapter XLIV.	An Act making appropriations for the support of the Military Establishment, for the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-nine.	March 2, 1799
45	Chapter XLV.	An Act vesting the power of retaliation, in certain cases, in the President of the United States.	March 3, 1799
46	Chapter XLVI.	An Act to regulate trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, and to preserve peace on the frontiers.	March 3, 1799
47	Chapter XLVII.	An Act authorizing the President of the United States to fill certain vacancies in the Army and Navy.	March 3, 1799
48	Chapter XLVIII.	An Act for the better organizing of the Troops of the United States; and for other purposes.	March 3, 1799

Public Resolutions

Resolution	Date
Resolution 1.	March 2, 1799