United States Statutes at Large/Volume 5/27th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 22
Chap. XXII.—An Act authorizing the construction of a war-steamer for harbor defence.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,Sec. Navy authorized to contract with R. L. Stevens for a war steamer.
Proviso. That the Secretary of the Navy be, and he is hereby authorized to enter into contract with Robert L. Stevens for the construction of a war-steamer, shot and shell proof, to be built principally of iron, upon the plan of the said Stevens: Provided, The whole cost, including the hull, armament, engines, boilers, and equipment in all respects complete for service, shall not exceed the average cost of the steamers Missouri and Mississippi.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, towards carrying this law into effect.
Approved, April 14, 1842.