Provided always, That nothing contained in this act shall be so construed as to imply that the United States are pledges or in any manner bound to make any appropriation in future, to make, or construct, said roads, or any part or portion of them.Survey for improvement of navigation of Rock river. For the survey, with the view to the improvement of the navigation of Rock river, from the Illinois line, as far up the same as the contemplated point of intersection with the Milwaukee and Rock river canal, and also the Haven of the said river, next below Lake Kushkenong to Madison, the seat of Government of the Territory of Wisconsin, a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars.Survey of Des Moines and Iowa rivers.
A railroad from Milwaukee to Dubuque. For the survey of the Des Moines and Iowa rivers, with a view to the improvement of their navigation, a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars. For a survey and estimate of the cost of a railroad from Milwaukee to Dubuque, a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars.
Approved, July 7, 1838.
Statute ⅠⅠ.
Chap. CXCI.—An Act to provide for the better security of the lives of passengers on board of vessels propelled in whole or in part by steam.[1]
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,Owners of steamboats to make a new enrolment and take out a new license. That it shall be the duty of all owners of steamboats, or vessels propelled in whole or in part by steam, on or before the first day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight, to make a new enrolment of the same, under the existing laws of the United States, and take out from the collector or surveyor of the port, as the case may be, where such vessel is enrolled, a new license, under such conditions as are now imposed by law, and as shall be imposed by this act.
Shall not transport goods, &c. or passengers, without a new license.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall not be lawful for the owner, master, or captain of any steamboat or vessel propelled in whole or in part by steam, to transport any goods, wares, and merchandise, or passengers, in or upon the bays, lakes, rivers, or other navigable waters of the United States, from and after the said first day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight; without having first obtained, from the proper officer, a license under the existing laws, and without having complied with the conditions imposed by this act; and for each and every violation of this section, the owner or owners of said vessel shall forfeit and pay to the United States thePenalty for violation of this section.
How recoverable. sum of five hundred dollars, one-half for the use of the informer; and for which sum or sums the steamboat or vessel so engaged shall be liable, and may be seized and proceeded against summarily, by way of libel, in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction of the offence.
Their qualifications and duties.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the district judge of the United States, within whose district any ports of entry or delivery may be, on the navigable waters, bays, lakes, and rivers of the United States, upon the application of the master or owner of any steamboat or vessel propelled in whole or in part by steam, to appoint, from time to time, one or more persons skilled and competent to make inspections of such boats and vessels, and of the boilers and machinery employed in the same, who shall not be interested in the manufacture of steam engines, steamboat boilers, or other machinery belonging to steam vessels, whose duty it shall be to make such inspection when called upon for that purpose, and to give to the owner or master of such boat or vessel duplicate certificates of such inspection;
- ↑ An act authorizing the appointment of persons to test the usefulness of inventions to improve and render safe the boilers of steam engines against explosions; June 28, 1838, chap. 147.
An act to modify the act entitled, “An act to provide for the better security of the lives of passengers on board of vessels propelled in whole or in part by steam,” approved July 7, 1838; March 3, 1843, chap. 94. Additional act. 1852, ch. 106.
