Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 6.djvu/138



Be it enacted, &c., That the sum of five hundred and one dollars be, and the same is hereby, allowed to James Mathers, for his services and expenses, during the recess of Congress, as sergeant-at-arms to the Senate of the United States, which services were done, and expenses incurred, by order of the Senate; to be paid out of any unappropriated money in the treasury of the United States.

, February 25, 1799.

Be it enacted, &c., That the accounting officers of the treasury be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered, upon application of the parties, to examine and decide upon the validity of a certain award or report, made on the twenty-fifth day of October, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, by Isaac Roosevelt, William Malcom, Elbridge Gerry, and Henry Remsen, (four of the referees nominated for the purpose,) between the United States and Comfort Sands and others, his copartners, (contractors for furnishing supplies to the troops during the late war,) and that in making their decision upon the said award or report, the said officers of the treasury shall be governed by principles similar to those which would prevail in a controversy concerning it at law: and if, in the opinion of the accounting officers aforesaid, the said award or report ought to be binding and obligatory against the United States, then, and in such case, but not otherwise, the said Comfort Sands and others, his said copartners, shall be entitled to have their said claim against the United States, as on the said award, allowed and settled at the treasury, in the usual manner, and shall be paid the amount of the claim so to be allowed, out of any moneys which may be in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated: Provided, That if, on examination by the officers of the treasury, it shall be found that the said Comfort Sands, or either of his copartners, are indebted to the United States, they shall charge the amount in which they may be so indebted, against the sums which may be allowed on account of said award.

, March 2, 1799.