An Act to authorize the President of the United States to cause to be purchased, or built, a number of small vessels to be equipped as gallies, or otherise.
Law as Written [1]
SECTION 1. 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 be, and he is hereby authorized, if the same shall appear to him necessary for the protection of the United States, to cause a number of small vessels, not exceeding ten to be built, or purchased, and to be fitted out, manned, armed and equipped as gallies, or otherwise, in the service of the United States, the officers and men to be on the same pay, and to receive the same subsistence, as officers of the same rank and men are entitled to, in the navy of the United States.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said officers shall be appointed and commissioned by the President of the United States alone during the recess of the Senate; and the said gallies or vessels shall be stationed in such parts of the United States, as he may direct.
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That there be appropriated for the purpose aforesaid, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, out of any monies in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
APPROVED, May 4, 1798.