205. Collectors, as Superintendents of Lighthouses, are requested to afford the proper facilities to Navy Commissioners in making their examinations, in pursuance of the 2d section of the act of 3d March, 1837, making appropriations for building Lighthouses, &c.: S's cir. 20th March, 1837; V. 3, p. 126.

206. The Keepers of Lighthouses, &c., are requested to afford the Corps of the Coast Survey all facilities and aid in their power for protecting their landmarks, and other monuments set up by the surveyors in the course of their operations: S's cir. 25th March, 1837; V. 3, p. 129.

207. Information is called for from Captains of Revenue Cutters (instead of Collectors) on various points respecting the actual condition of Lighthouses, Beacons, Light Boats, &c., their proper location, utility, efficacy, or deficiency: 's cir. 10th May, 1843; V. 3, p. 315.

(Quarterly returns of Lighthouse and Marine Hospital Accounts.) (21)

208. Collectors, as Superintendents of Lighthouses, and Agents for Marine Hospitals, are informed, that they subject the Department to great inconvenience by the irregularities they practise, in making up and transmitting their Quarterly Accounts of Receipts and Disbursements, in those agencies: C's cir. 28th September, 1818; V. 1, p. 429.

209. Collectors, as Superintendents of Lighthouses, and Agents of Marine Hospitals, are again complained of, as being exceedingly irregular in transmitting their Quarterly Accounts of Receipts and Expenditures enjoined by the regulations: C's cir. 12th April, 1827; V. 2, p. 468.

(21.) The two following notices of the returns of Marine Hospital Accounts are introduced here, in connection with those of the accounts of moneys advanced and disbursed for the Lighthouse establishments, merely in conformity to their being so connected in those two circulars. A much more ample series of notices respecting Marine Hospital Accounts will of course be found under their proper head in the next ensuing section. But why so few circular notices and instructions in relation to the returns of Lighthouse Accounts have occurred, seeing how great was their irregularity, is quite unintelligible, not to say the more so, when it is seen how much repetition occurs on many other subjects of instruction and remonstrance. But, in regard to another subject, the returns of “ Light Money," which might, from the inadvertent misleading of a cognomen, be deemed to belong to this connection of Lighthouse Accounts, it is proper to say, that they are as foreign from it, as the accounts of any other duties received by Collectors; and that, on account of their continued and uniform connection, in the circular instructions, with tonnage duties, they will be found so connected under that head in Chapter III, section 5, as it would be doing too much violence to their wonted association to separate them merely to preserve the consistency of the classification generally maintained in this Synopsis. Nevertheless, it seems obvious to remark, that there is no greater difference between the duties levied on vessels as Light Money, and the expenditures of Government for the establishment and support of Lighthouses, than there is between the Postage duties on Letters, &c., and the expenditures of Government on account of the Post Office establishment. If the duties received for mail transportation of Letters may be applied exclusively to the use of the Post Office establishment, why not the Light Money be applied exclusively to the support of the Lighthouse establishment? And in like manner, of every other source of revenue, why not apply the proceeds of each exclusively to its support? The answer is manifest-there would be no balances to meet other demands of the Government. Why, then, it need hardly be asked, let the Post Office expend all the revenue from Post Office duties?

It may be remarked here, in anticipation of the subjects in the next ensuing section, that the many repetitions and diversity of instructions relating thereto, are reduced to consistency by the summary instructions of Mr. Secretary Ewing, of the 15th of May, 1841, introduced in the note at No. 241, post.

AMERICAN SEAMEN: their relief, protection, registry, and returns

thereof to the Treasury:

-to be returned from abroad, at U. States' charge:

Crew List, and individual protection to certificate of citizenship:

Crew List necessary to protect the crew during war.

Fraudulent discharge of seamen in foreign ports, forbidden.

[Same subject.]

Neglect to give masters certified "Crew Lists."

The Hospital Fund

SECTION 3.

Of the Marine Hospital System for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, together with the System of Registering and Protecting American Seamen-embracing the weekly and quarterly returns of accounts connected therewith.

210. Certain rules and regulations are prescribed by the President for the administration of the act of the 28th May, 1796, for the relief and protection of American seamen-for registering their names, and furnishing them with certificates of citizenship, &c., to be regularly recorded in books to be provided therefor—and quarterly returns of such registers to be made to the Secretary of the Treasury, according to forms transmitted: S's cir. 19th July, 1796; V. 1, p. 176. (See No. 217.)

211. American seamen in foreign ports, desiring to return home, are to be taken on board of United States merchant vessels free of cost or charge to them, under the direction of the American Consul there, according to the act of 14th April, 1792, "concerning Consuls and Vice-Consuls: S's cir. 24th December, 1801; V. 1, p. 213.

212. Further instructions are given to Collectors respecting the masters of vessels bound to foreign ports, with a List of their Crew, distinguishing foreigners from citizens, and with a certificate of citizenship to each citizen seaman, (called his Protection Certificate,) according to the act of 28th May, 1796-referring to the instructions of 19th July, 1796, on the same subject: S's cir. 6th July, 1803; V. 1, p. 226.

213. The instrument called a "Crew List," as required by acts of Congress, and sometimes by Treaties, is necessary for the protection of the crew of every vessel, in the course of her voyage, during a war: S's cir. 25th February, 1815; V. 2, p. 47.

214. It having been represented by Consuls, and others, that crews of our merchant vessels have been discharged in foreign ports by masters of such vessels, without complying with the provisions of the act of 28th February, 1803, Collectors are requested to use proper vigilance to detect and correct the practice: S's cir. 5th April, 1831; V. 2, p. 260.

215. Further complaints having been laid before the Secretary in regard to the unwarrantable landing of seamen in foreign ports, from American whaling vessels, ultimately to defraud them of their interest in the proceeds of their adventure, Collectors are again admonished of their duty in executing the law in all such cases: S's cir. 28th November, 1833; V. 2, p. 333.

216. In consequence of frequent neglect by Collectors to give the masters of vessels a certified copy of their "Crew List," as required by act of 28th February, 1803, great inconveniences have arisen to seamen on their arrival in foreign ports, &c., which imperiously call for correction: S's cir. 29th August, 1836; V. 3, p. 111.

217. Circular instructions from the Secretary of the Treasury of the 24th May, 1799, proper subjects of re- (referred to, but not restored in this collection,) having given his views of the "act of 16th

instituted, and the

July, 1798, (22) for the relief of sick and disabled seamen," as being solely intended to afford "temporary relief," it is deemed a subject of reproof to agents to find that there are so many instances of incurables and paupers (who are entitled to relief under "municipal regulations") quartered on this fund-against the continuance of which practice further instructions are now given, and are required to be strictly adhered to, viz: 1. That no seaman afflicted with mania, or any other kind of incurable disease, be allowed the benefit of the Hospital institution for any period, however short; and that if any such have been admitted, they be immediately discharged. 2. That no seaman laboring under complaint not deemed to be incurable, be permitted to receive relief for a longer time than four months. 3. That all disabled seamen who may be discharged from the Marine Hospital in pursuance of this instruction, and who do not belong to your port, district, or State, be conveyed by water at public expense to the place of their nativity or domicil-observing to notify the Collector of the port whither sent that they are not to be received in the Marine Hospital. 4. That you do not permit the expenditures in your port for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, during any one year, to exceed the amount of tax collected for the same period, unless you shall be authorized so to do by this Department: S's cir. 16th April, 1821; V. 2, p. 126.

lief by it, explained. (See note below, and

No. 245, post.)

Schedule to build

218. In pursuance of a resolution of the Senate, calling for information respecting the points at which it may be desirable and expedient to establish Marine Hospitals, Collectors Marine Hospitals. are requested to communicate their views on the subject: S's cir. 23d June, 1836; V.3, p. 97.

219. In pursuance of resolutions of the Senate, the Secretary of the Treasury calls for information from Collectors pertinent to a purpose of erecting three Hospitals for sick and disabled seamen at suitable ports on the Western waters, and the like number at suitable points on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts: S's cir. 16th March, 1837; V. 3, p. 125.

Of the Weekly and Quarterly Returns of Accounts, &c., connected with the Hospital fund; Seamen employed on board of American vessels, &c.

220. Two forms of returns required to be made by Collectors in relation to seamen, according to the "act of 16th July, 1798, for the relief of sick and disabled seamen," are transmitted, viz: (A) is the return to be made of seamen on board of a vessel, their names, the time of their employment, and the sums as Hospital Tax retained out of their wages. (B) is the return to be made of moneys received by Collectors from masters or owners of vessels on account of said tax for the benefit of sick and disabled seamen: C's cir. 19th September, 1798; V. 1, pp. 161, 164.

[Same subject.]

Quarterly returns of seamen and of Hospital Tax, &c.

The collection of Hospital Tax. (See

221. (Minute instructions are given for executing "the act (concerning the collection of the Hospital Tax) for the relief of sick and disabled seamen," as far as the collection of the No. 245, post.) tax may be affected by the issuing, surrendering, or changing of Registers, Enrolments, and Licenses, or other circumstances: C's cir. 26th October, 1798; V. 1, p. 165.)

222. New regulations are prescribed (according to the "supplementary act of 2d March, 1799, for the relief of sick and disabled seamen") respecting the application of the moneys

the application of it, joining States: in the same, or ad

(22.) This instruction, No. 217, ought to be regarded in connection with that of the early date to which it refers.

-the application of it, in the same, or adjoining States:

-collections to be

concentrated in the

received on account of said Hospital Tax, varying the former provisions on the subject, "so as that the moneys arising from that source may be expended within the State in which the same may have been collected, or within the State next adjoining thereto, excepting what may be collected in the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut:" C's cir. 27th May, 1799; V. 1, p. 179.)

223. (For the purpose of concentrating the moneys collected of seamen as a Marine Hoshands of agents, by pital Fund into the hands of such Collectors as have been, or may be, appointed the agents of said institutions, certain instructions are given to insure clearness and perspicuity therein: S's cir. 4th October, 1799; V. 1, p. 201.)

remittances, &c.

Quarterly returns of receipts and disbursements by agents.

Weekly receipts by

224. The quarterly returns of the moneys received and paid away on account of Marine Hospitals, are (with other details of official duty) earnestly called to the attention of Collectors acting as Hospital Agents: S's cir. 20th August, 1801; V. 1, p. 207.

225. Further instructions are given to Collectors, requiring an account of their receipts all Collectors, agents of Hospital Tax duties retained from seamens' wages, to be included (but as a separate fund) in their weekly returns of moneys received: S's cir. 31st May, 1802; V. 1, p. 214.

or not.

New forms of quarterly returns of receipts, substituted.

Remissness of agents

in making up and transmitting their ac

counts current.

Weekly, monthly,

and quarterly returns to the Secretary.

Quarterly returns for settlement.

Weekly, monthly,

again neglected.

226. Other forms of quarterly returns of moneys received by Collectors for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, with detailed lists of masters' names, and seamen, &c., are substituted-referring also to the circular of the Secretary of the Treasury, dated 31st May, 1802, on the like subject: C's cir. 31st July, 1802; V. 1, p. 211.

227. Collectors acting as Agents of Marine Hospitals are informed of the great inconvenience to which they subject the Department by the irregularity they practise, in making up and in transmitting their accounts of receipts and disbursements in their agencies: C's cir. 28th September, 1818; V. 1, p. 429.

228. The circular instructions of the 20th August, 1801, is again transmitted, to remind Collectors of the weekly, monthly, and quarterly returns therein required, including those of Hospital accounts: S's cir. 14th September, 1818; V. 2, pp. 93 to 97.

229. Quarterly abstracts of Marine Hospital money received from seamen in a quarter, to be returned according to form transmitted: C's folio cir. 31st July, 1821; p. 10.

230. The instructions of the 20th August, 1801, and 14th October, 1818, are again and quarterly returns, called to the attention of Collectors, respecting the remissness of their several weekly, monthly, and quarterly returns to the Secretary, including those of Hospital accounts: S's cir. 22d June, 1822; V. 2, p. 131.

Number and rate of seamen quartered on

231. A series of interrogatories are propounded to certain Collectors in North Carolina, the Hospital fund in respecting the number of seamen that have had relief from the Hospital Fund during two years past. At what expense per week, &c.: S's cir. 7th February, 1827; V. 2, p. 175.

North Carolina.

Accounts for settlement still neglected.

232. The Agents of Marine Hospitals are again reminded of their continued remissness in regard to their accounts of receipts and disbursements of Hospital funds: C's cir. 12th April, 1827; V. 2, p. 468.

233. Agents of Marine Hospitals are informed, that, in consequence of the quarterly returns, in a distinct and separate form, of the amounts received and expended on account of those institutions, having been neglected by many of those Agents, additional returns of receipts and expenditures, according to forms now transmitted, are required to be made, in future, to the Comptroller of the Treasury, for settlement: S's cir. 1st October, 1829; V. 2, p. 227.

234. Collectors who are Agents for Marine Hospitals, are authorized to continue the existing arrangements for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, until the 30th June next: S's cir. 29th March, 1830; V. 2, p. 238.

235. The result of a recent examination into the disbursements for the relief of sick and disabled Seamen having shown that great irregularities prevail in the expenditures for the same objects in neighboring places, and that the Fund is gradually diminishing—it is therefore deemed proper to establish a SCALE of expenditure as follows-which will introduce uniformity, and at the same time effect such a reduction of the present rates, as will make the Fund commensurate with the increasing demands for relief-viz.:

"This charge of 'relief to seamen,' being only auxiliary to that relief which is due to them from the municipal authorities of the places where their wants overtake them, those authorities are to be apprised of the state of the Hospital Fund, that they may also make a proper contribution for the relief of such seamen:" S's cir. 1st June, 1830; V. 2, p. 233.

New forms of quar

terly returns for settlement prescribed.

Existing arrangements for relief of sea

men, continued.

Scale of expenditure to be followed hereaf

ter.

the Potomac.

236. The aforesaid rates and regulations are explained and modified, so as to allow 25 increased south of per cent. additional rates at all ports south of the Potomac river: S's cir. 20th May, 1831; V. 2, p. 268.

237. Certain Collectors are authorized to continue the existing arrangements at their ports for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, until the 1st July, 1833: S's cir. 14th June, 1832; V. 2, p. 286.

238. Quarterly returns are required, showing the amount of moneys received and expended per quarter, under the act of 14th October, 1818, for the relief of sick and disabled seamen: S's cir. 12th November, 1835; V. 3, p. 82.

239. Certain Collectors are authorized to continue the arrangements existing at their ports, for the relief of sick and disabled seamen, until the 1st July, 1840: S's cir. 1st July, 1839; V. 3, p. 206.

240. On examining again into the disbursements on account of sick and disabled seamen, there appears a necessity for a further diminution of those expenditures by one-third, taking the regulations issued the 1st June, 1830, and the 20th May, 1831, as still in force: S's cir. 12th December, 1840; V. 3, p. 244.