Law as written, continued;
SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That for the ships or goods belonging to the citizens of the United States, or to the citizens or subjects of any nation, in amity with the United States, if retaken from the enemy within twenty-four hours, the owners are to allow one eighth part of the whole value for salvage, if after twenty-four hours, and under forty-eight, one fifth thereof, if above that and under ninety-six hours, one third part thereof, and if above that, one half, all of which is to be paid without any deduction whatsoever, agreeable to the articles herein before mentioned.
SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That every officer, seaman or mariner disabled in the line of his duty shall be entitled to receive for his own life, and the life of his wife, if a married man, at the time of receiving the wound, one half his monthly pay.
SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That all the money accruing, or which has already accrued from the sale of prizes, shall be and remain for ever a fund for the payment of the half pay to the officers and seamen who may be entitled to receive the same--and if the said fund shall be insufficient for this purpose, the public faith is hereby pledged to make up the deficiency. But if it should be more than sufficient, the surplus shall be applied as Congress may hereafter direct by law, to the making of further provision for the comfort of the disabled officers, seamen and mariners, and for such as may not be disabled, who may merit by their bravery, or their long and faithful services, the gratitude of their country.
SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That the said fund shall be under the management and direction of the Secretary of the Navy, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary at War for the time being, who are hereby authorized to receive all such sums as the United States may be entitled to, from the sale of prizes, and to invest the same, and the interest arising therefrom, in such of the six per cent or other stock of the United States, as a majority of them from time to time shall determine to be most advantageous; and it shall be the duty of the said commissioners to lay before Congress, every year, in the first week of their annual meeting, a minute and correct statement of their proceedings, in relation to the management of said fund.
SEC. 11. And be it further enacted, That no rules or regulations made by any commander in chief, or captain, in the service of the United States, for the stationing, designating of duty and government of the fleet, or any of the crews of any ship of war, shall be at variance with this act, but shall be strictly conformable thereto; and that every commander in chief and captain, in making private rules and regulations, and designating the duty of his officers, shall keep in view also the custom and usage of the sea service most common to our nation.
Approved, March 2, 1799.
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