Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 3.djvu/467



President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, one commissary general, with the rank, pay, and emoluments, of colonel of ordnance, who shall, before entering on the duties of his office, give bond and security, in such sum as the President may direct; and as many assistants, to be taken from the subalterns of the line, as the service may require, who shall receive twenty dollars per month in addition to their pay in the line, and who shall, before entering on the duties of their office, give bond and security, in such sums as the President may direct. The commissary general and his assistants shall perform such duties, in purchasing and issuing of rations to the army of the United States, as the President may direct.

. And be it further enacted, That the supplies for the army, unless, in particular and urgent cases, the Secretary of War should otherwise direct, shall be purchased by contract, to be made by the commissary general on public notice, to be delivered, on inspection, in the bulk, and at such places as shall be stipulated; which contract shall be made under such regulations as the Secretary of War may direct.

. And be it further enacted, That the President may make such alterations in the component parts of the ration as a due regard to the health and comfort of the army and economy may require.

. And be it further enacted, That the commissary general and his assistants shall not be concerned, directly or indirectly, in the purchase or sale, in trade or commerce, of any article entering into the composition of the ration allowed to the troops in the service of the United States, except on account of the United States, nor shall such officer take and apply to his own use any gain or emolument for negotiating or transacting any business connected with the duties of his office, other than what is or may be allowed by law; and the commissary general and his assistants shall be subject to martial law.

. And be it further enacted, That all letters to and from the commissary general, which may relate to his office duties, shall be free from postage: Provided, That the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth sections of this act shall continue and be in force for the term of five years from passing the same, and thence until the end of the next session of Congress, and no longer.

April 14, 1818.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the officers of the army, who have brevet commissions, shall be entitled to and receive the pay and emoluments of their brevet rank when on duty, and having command according to their brevet rank, and at no other time.

. And be it further enacted, That no brevet commission shall hereafter be conferred but by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

April 16, 1818.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in every case where a person has been put on the pension list, or granted a certificate or pension, by virtue of the first section of an act, passed the fourth day of March, in the year eighteen hundred and fourteen, entitled