United States Statutes at Large/Volume 5/25th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 1
Chapter I.—An Act to authorize the President of the United States to cause the public vessels to cruise upon the coast in the winter season and to relieve distressed navigators.
The President authorized to cause the public vessels to cruise upon the coast in the winter for the relief of distressed navigators.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 hereby is, authorized to cause any suitable number of public vessels, adapted to the purpose, to cruise upon the coast, in the severe portion of the season, when the public service will allow of it, and to afford such aid to distressed navigators as their circumstances and necessities may require; and such public vessels shall go to sea prepared fully to render such assistance.
Approved, December 22, 1837.