Sec. 2. He may appoint clerks.And be it further enacted, That a principal clerk and such other clerks as he shall think necessary, shall be appointed by the Secretary of the Navy, who shall be employed in such manner as he shall deem most expedient. In case of vacancy in the office of the secretary, by removal or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the principal clerk to take the charge and custody of all the books, records and documents of the said office.
Sec. 3. He may take possession of the books, &c. in War Office, which relate to his department.And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Navy be and he is hereby authorized and empowered, immediately after he shall be appointed and shall enter upon the duties of his office, to take possession of all the records, books and documents and all other matters and things appertaining to this department, which are now deposited in the office of the Secretary at War.
Sec. 4. Salary of the Secretary and of his clerks.And be it further enacted, That there shall be allowed to the Secretary of the Navy an annual salary of three thousand dollars, payable quarter yearly at the treasury of the United States, and the respective clerks in the office of the said department shall receive the same compensations and be subject to the same regulations, as are provided by an act, supplemental to the act, establishing the treasury department, and for a further compensation to certain officers, in the offices of the other executive departments.
Sec. 5. Part of the act establishing the War Department repealed.
1789, ch. 7.And be it further enacted, That so much of an act, entitled “An act to establish an executive department, to be denominated the department of war,” as vests any of the powers contemplated by the provisions of this act, in the Secretary for the department of War, shall be repealed, from and after the period when the Secretary of the Navy shall enter on the duties of his office.
Approved, April 30, 1798.
Statute Ⅱ.
Chap. ⅩⅩⅩⅥ.—An Act to authorize certain Officers and other persons to administer oaths.[1]
Section 1. President of the Senate, Speaker, &c. authorized to administer oaths, &c. to witnesses.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a chairman of a committee of the whole, or a chairman of a select committee of either house, shall be empowered to administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses, in any case under their examination.
Sec. 2. Penalty on swearing falsely.And be it further enacted, That if any person shall wilfully, absolutely and falsely swear or affirm, touching any matter or thing material to the point in question, whereto he or she shall be thus examined, every person so offending, and being thereof duly convicted, shall be subjected, to the pains, penalties and disabilities, which by law are prescribed for the punishment of the crime of wilful and corrupt perjury.
Approved, May 3, 1798.
Statute Ⅱ.
Chap. ⅩⅩⅩⅦ.—An Act supplementary to the act providing for the further defence of the ports and harbors of the United States.[2]
- ↑ An act to extend the provision of the act to authorize certain officers and other persons, to administer oaths, May 3, 1798; also act of February 8, 1817, chap. 10.
- ↑ An act to provide for the further defence of the ports and harbors of the United States, June 23, 1797, chap. 3.
