United States Statutes at Large/Volume 5/28th Congress/1st Session/Resolution 1
No. 1. A Joint Resolution accepting the sword of Washington and staff of Franklin.
Preamble.Whereas, by a joint resolution which passed both Houses of Congress during the third session of the twenty-seventh Congress, the sword of Washington and the staff of Franklin, presented to Congress by Samuel T. Washington, of Kenawha county, Virginia, were accepted in the name of the nation, and the thanks of Congress were presented therefor to the donor, and the President of the United States was directed to communicate to the said Samuel T. Washington a copy of said resolution. And whereas, said resolution did not reach the President of the United States before the adjournment of Congress, and did not therefore receive his approval and signature. And whereas, the President of the United States did communicate to the said Samuel T. Washington a copy of said resolution: Therefore, in order to vest the title to said relics in the United States,
Sword and staff accepted; to be deposited in State Dep’t.Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That said sword and staff are hereby accepted in the name of the Nation, and that they be deposited in the Department of State of the United States for safe-keeping.
Approved, June 17, 1844.