United States Statutes at Large/Volume 1/5th Congress/3rd Session/Chapter 16
Feb. 25, 1799.
Chap. ⅩⅥ.—An Act authorizing the purchase of Timber for naval purposes.
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 shall be, and he is hereby authorized to direct a sum not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars, to be paid out of any monies in the treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to be laid out in the purchase of growing or other timber, or of lands on which timber is growing, suitable for the navy, and to cause the proper measures to be taken to have the same preserved for the future uses of the navy.
Approved, February 25, 1799.