Dead letters returned to writers without charge. 1863, ch. 71, 28. be forwarded, at the request of the party addressed, from one post office to another without additional postage charge; and returned dead letters shall be restored to the writers thereof free of postage. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the tenth section of the act Letters to be entitled "An act to establish salaries for postmasters, and for other purposes," approved July one, eighteen hundred and sixty-four; and so much of the twenty-eighth section of the act entitled "An act to amend the laws relating to the Post Office Department," approved March three, eighteen hundred and sixty-three, as requires postage to be charged at the prepaid rate, to be collected on the return delivery of letters, indorsed with a request for their return to the writers, be, and the same are hereby, repealed; and all letters bearing such indorsement shall hereafter be returned to the writers thereof without additional postage charge. Vol. xii. p. 706. 1864, ch.197, $10. Vol. xiii. p. 337. Money orders for not over $50. 1864, ch. 87, § 3. Vol. xiii. p. 76. Charges. Money order good for one year. case of loss. SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the third section of the act entitled "An act to establish a postal money-order system," approved May seventeen, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, be, and the same is hereby, amended so as to authorize the issuing of a money-order for any sum not to exceed fifty dollars, and that the charge or fee for an order for a sum not exceeding twenty dollars shall be ten cents; for an order exceeding twenty dollars shall be twenty-five cents. SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That a money-order shall be valid and payable when presented to the deputy postmaster on whom it is drawn within one year after its date, but for no longer period; and in case of Duplicate in the loss of a money-order a duplicate thereof shall be issued without charge, on the application of the remitter or payee, who shall make the required proofs; and postmasters at all money-order offices are hereby authorized and required to administer to the applicant or applicants in such cases the required oath or affirmation free of charge. Oath. Railroads car rying the mails to convey printed matter, &c., without extra charge. &c., or aiding to injure, how pun SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That all railroad companies carrying the mails of the United States shall convey without extra charge, by any train which they may run over their roads, all such printed matter as the Postmaster-General shall, from time to time, direct to be transported thereon with the persons in charge of the mails designated by the Post Office Department for that purpose. SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That if any person or persons shall Wilful, &c., injury to mail wilfully and maliciously injure, deface, or destroy any mailable matter matter deposited deposited in any letter-box, pillar-box, or other receiving boxes estabin letter box, lished by authority of the Postmaster-General of the United States for the safe deposit of matter for the mails or for delivery, or shall wilfully aid and assist in injuring such mailable matter so deposited as aforesaid, every such offender being thereof duly convicted shall, for every such offence, be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or be imprisoned not more than three years, at the discretion of the court. 'shed. SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That whenever it shall become expedient, in the opinion of the Postmaster-General, to substitute a different kind of postage stamps for those now in use, he shall be, and is hereby, authorized to modify the existing contract for the manufacture of postage stamps so as to allow to the contractors a sum sufficient to cover the in creased expenses, if any, of manufacturing the stamps so substituted. SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That section two of the act entitled "An act to establish salaries for postmasters, and for other purposes," approved July one, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, be amended by adding the following: Provided, That when the quarterly returns of any postmaster of the third, fourth or fifth class show that the salary allowed is ten per centum less than it would be on the basis of commissions under the act of eighteen hundred and fifty-four, fixing compensation, then the Postmaster-General shall review and readjust under the provisions of said section. SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That whenever the Postmaster-Gener al shall require special agents of the Post Office Department to collect, Special color disburse the public moneys accruing from postages, such special agent bursing agents lecting or disor agents, when so employed, shall, prior to entering upon such duty, give to give bond. bond in such sum, in such form, and with such security, as the Postmas ter-General may approve. APPROVED, June 12, 1866. CHAP. CXV.- An Act making Appropriations for the Construction, Preservation, and June 12, 1866. Repairs of certain Fortifications and other Works of Defence, for the Year ending June thirty, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums be, and they are hereby, appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not Appropriations otherwise appropriated, for the construction, preservation, and repairs of for fortifications. certain fortifications and other works of defence for the year ending the thirtieth of June, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven : For Fort Wayne, near Detroit, Michigan, fifty thousand dollars. Fort Wayne. For Fort Montgomery, at outlet of Lake Champlain, New York, fifty Fort Montthousand dollars. For Fort Scammel, Portland, Maine, thirty-five thousand dollars. For Fort George, on Hog Island ledge, Portland, Maine, fifty thousand dollars. For Fort Popham, Kennebec river, Maine, fifty thousand dollars. For Fort Constitution, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, seventy-five thousand dollars. For Fort Winthrop, Boston, Massachusetts, thirty thousand dollars. For Fort Warren, Boston, Massachusetts, twenty-five thousand dollars. For sea-wall at Great Brewster's island, Boston harbor, Massachusetts, seventy-five thousand dollars. For sea-walls on Deer and Lovell's islands, Boston harbor, Massachusetts, fifty thousand dollars. gomery. Fort Scammel. Fort Popham. tion. Fort Win throp. Fort Warren. Sea-wall at Great Brewster's; on Deer and Lovell's islands. For fort at entrance of New Bedford harbor, Massachusetts, thirty Fort at enthousand dollars. For Fort Schuyler, East river, New York, thirty thousand dollars. For fort at Willett's Point, opposite Fort Schuyler, New York, fifty, thousand dollars. trance of New lett's Point. Fort Hamilton. For repairs of Fort Hamilton, New York, thirty thousand dollars. For fort on site of Fort Tompkins, Staten Island, New York, fifty Fort Tompkins. thousand dollars. For fort at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, fifty thousand dollars. For repairs of Fort Mifflin, near Philadelphia, twenty-five thousand dollars. For construction of permanent platforms for modern cannon of large calibre, in existing fortifications of important harbors, one hundred thousand dollars. For repairs of Fort Washington, on the Potomac river, twenty thousand dollars. For Fort Monroe, Hampton Roads, Virginia, thirty thousand dollars. For fort at Lime Point, California, seventy-five thousand dollars. Fort at Sandy Platforms for modern cannon of large calibre. Fort Washing ton. Fort Monroe. Fort Taylor. Island. Fort Clinch. Fort at Fort Point; at Lime Point at Alcatraz Island. Survey of northern and north western lakes. Sites for per manent sea coast defences. Purchase not to be made until, &c. For survey of northern and northwestern lakes, including Lake Superior, fifty thousand dollars. For purchase of sites now occupied and lands proposed to be occupied for permanent sea-coast defences, provided that no such purchase shall be made except upon the approval of its expediency by the Secretary of War, and of the validity of title by the Attorney-General, thirty-five thousand dollars. Approved, June 12, 1866. June 12, 1866. CHAP. CXVI. An Act authorizing documentary Evidence of Titles to be furnished to the Owners of certain Lands in the City of St. Louis. Preamble. 1812, ch. 99. Vol. ii. p. 748. Vol. ii. p. 812, note. Vol. xi. pp. 294, 442. Vol. xii. p. 85. District court may decree the title of the United States in certain lots in St. Louis to the person having the best claim. Certain property not to be released. Not where full documentary evidence exists. Proceedings to obtain a decree. Who to be made defend ants. Minors. Whereas within the city of Saint Louis, in the State of Missouri, there are many lots, tracts, pieces, and parcels of land which were confirmed by the act of Congress of June the thirteenth, eighteen hundred and twelve, on the ground of inhabitation, possession, or cultivation of the same prior to December the twentieth, eighteen hundred and three, and in some cases there is no adequate documentary evidence of said confirmations; and in consequence of the death of the ancient witnesses, who knew the facts of said inhabitation, possession, or cultivation, the owners of said lands, in said cases where there is no adequate documentary evidence of said confirmations, are without complete evidence of title to the same, as against the United States; and whereas persons holding grants and confirmations of lands in said city of Saint Louis, under other acts of Congress heretofore passed, may, in some cases, be without perfect documentary evidence of said grants or confirmations by the United States, and difficulties may hereafter arise therefrom, to the great injury of such persons: Therefore · Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the district court of the United States for the eastern district of Missouri is hereby authorized, by proper decree, to declare released, granted, relinquished, and conveyed by the United States, in fee simple and in full property, all of the right, title, and interest of the United States in and to any lot, tract, piece or parcel of land within the city of Saint Louis, in the State of Missouri, to the person or persons having the best claim or claims to the same; but nothing in this act shall authorize said court to declare released, granted, relinquished, and conveyed, as aforesaid, any land within any wharf, street, lane, avenue, alley, or other public thoroughfare, or within the boundaries of any land which has been heretofore granted or assigned by the United States for the use or support of schools, or within the boundaries of any land heretofore lawfully confirmed or lawfully granted by the United States, where full, sufficient, and complete documentary evidence of such confirmation or grant now exists of record. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That every person desiring a a decree in his or her favor, under this act, shall file a petition in said district court, asking for such decree, and describing the land for which said decree is desired; and the United States and all persons claiming such land adversely to said petitioner (if there be any such adverse claimants) shall be made defendants in said cause; and if any party to any such cause shall be a minor under the age of twenty-one years, a guardian ad litem shall be appointed by said court for said minor; and said district court Authority of shall have full and complete power, jurisdiction, and authority to hear, try, and determine all questions arising in said cause relating to the claim of the petitioner, the extent, locality, and boundaries of said claim, and all other matters connected therewith or concerning the same; and said district court shall also have power to make, prescribe, and enforce such rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper to carry this act into full and complete execution. district court. SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That a copy of every petition which United States shall be filed under this act, and a copy of the writ or process thereto at- made a party by delivery of copy tached, shall be delivered to the district attorney of the United States for of petition and said eastern district of Missouri, by the United States marshal for said process thereon district, which said delivery shall make the United States a party to the to, &c. cause specified in such petition, without any other or further proceedings, notice, service, writ or process whatever; and said district attorney shall make such defence therein for the United States as in his opinion the Defence, anpublic interest may require; but no answer or other pleadings filed by swer, pleadings. said attorney in such cause shall be required to be verified by oath or affirmation. tioner. SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That for the purpose of more com- Surveys, &c., pletely describing, identifying, and defining the boundaries, situation, and to be made of lands sought to locality of any lot, tract, piece or parcel of land sought to be released, be released, at granted, relinquished and conveyed under this act, the said district court expense of petishall have power to cause an accurate survey, plat, and description thereof to be made by a competent person at the expense of the petitioner ; and all of the expenses and costs of all suits and other proceedings under this act shall be paid by the respective petitioners, and the payment thereof may be enforced by execution or otherwise. SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That every decree which shall be rendered under this act in favor of any petitioner shall be deemed a full, sufficient, and complete release, grant, relinquishment, and conveyance, in fee simple and in full property, to such petitioner, and to his or her heirs and assigns, forever, of all the right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the land described in such decree. Costs of suits Effect of do. cree. office. Appeal to circuit court with in one year. Transcript of petition, &c. SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That whenever said district court or Transcript of the circuit court shall render a final decree under this act, concerning any to be sent to final decree, &c., lot, tract, piece or parcel of land, such court shall cause to be transmitted commissioner of to the commissioner of the general land office a full, true, and complete general land transcript of said final decree, and of the description or survey of said land. SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That any party to any final decree rendered by said district court in any suit or cause commenced under this act may appeal from said final decree of said district court to the circuit court of the United States for the district of Missouri, at any time within one year from the time of the rendition of said final decree, and not after that time; and on the granting of said appeal, a full, true, and complete transcript of said final decree, and of the petition, and all other pleadings and proceedings in said cause, and of the evidence therein, shall be transmitted to said circuit court. And when said appeal shall have been completed, said circuit court shall have full and complete jurisdiction over said cause, and may allow the pleadings to be amended if necessary, and may admit new parties if necessary, and shall hear, try, and determine said cause de novo, without regarding any error, defect, or other imperfection in the proceedings of said district court, and shall render such final decree therein as the facts and the justice of said cause may require. SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That in case of any difference of opinion between the judges of the said circuit court upon any question arising in any such cause, the same may be certified to the supreme court of the United States, for its decision thereon as in other cases. Jurisdiction of circuit court. Amendments. New parties. Decree. Question may be certified to supreme court of the United States when, &c. Title of the United States in SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That all of the right, title, and interest of the United States in and to all of the wharves, streets, lanes, av- wharves, streets, enues, alleys, and other public thoroughfares which are situate, lying, and &c., in St. Louis, being within the corporate limits of the city of St. Louis, in the State of conveyed to the city. Missouri, shall be, and the same are hereby, granted, relinquished, and conveyed by the United States, in fee simple and in full property, to the said city of St. Louis, and to the successors and assigns forever of said city: Provided, however, That no individual rights or titles acquired previously hereto shall be in any manner impaired or prejudiced hereby. APPROVED, June 12, 1866. Proviso. June 12, 1866. CHAP. CXVII. — An Act to grant the Right of Way to the "Humboldt Canal Compa ny" through the Public Lands of the United States. Right of way lands granted to Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United through public States of America in Congress assembled, That the right of way for a Humboldt Canal canal through the public lands of the United States lying in Humboldt Company. county, State of Nevada, and the use of the land for tow-paths, cuttings, and embankments, to the extent of fifty feet on each side of the center of the canal, shall be, and is hereby, granted to the Humboldt Canal Company: Provided, That in cases where deep excavation or heavy embank ment is required, such greater width, not exceeding two hundred feet, may be taken by said company as may be necessary. Proviso. Certain public lands may be flowed to create a reservoir. Sites for wastegates, mill-sites, depots, &c. Proviso. Plan of oca tion, &c., to be sent to general land office. This grant to cease, &c., unless, &c. This grant not to interfere with former grants to any railroadcompany. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That, in order to create a reservoir for said company sufficient to feed said canal in all seasons, said company shall be, and is hereby, authorized, by a dam across the Humboldt river, at such point at or near the gap in the Fremont range of mountains through which said river passes, to flow so much of the public lands above said dam as may be required for the purpose of said reservoir. SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That there shall be, and is hereby, granted to said company the necessary sites along said canal for wastegates, mill-sites, depots, and other uses of said canal, so far as places convenient for the same fall upon the public lands, and also the privilege of discharging the waste waters of said canal over any public lands into the said Humboldt river, at such places as may be suitable for that purpose: Provided, That the proper officers of said company shall transmit to the commissioner of the general land office a correct plat of the survey and location of said canal, and of the sites needed for mills, depots, wastegates, and other uses of said canal, before the appropriation thereof for said uses shall become operative: And provided further, That unless thirty miles of said canal shall be excavated within one year, [and] the whole within three years, from the date hereof, the grants hereby made shall cease and determine: And provided further, That if said canal shall at any time after its completion be discontinued or abandoned by said company, the grants hereby made shall cease and determine, and the lands hereby granted shall revert to the United States: And provided_further, That nothing in this act shall be so construed as to interfere with any grant of the right of way and of public lands heretofore made to any railroad company. APPROVED, June 12, 1866. June 14, 1866. CHAP. CXXII. Disbursing it public mon eys with the treasurer or some assistant treasurer, to draw only as required. Transfers to be by draft. -- - An Act to regulate and secure the Safe-Keeping of public Money in trusted to Disbursing Officers of the United States. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United officers to depos- States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this act it shall be the duty of every disbursing officer of the United States having any public money intrusted to him for disbursement, to deposit the same with the treasurer or some one of the assistant treasurers of the United States, and to draw for the same only as it may be required for payments to be made by him in pursuance of law; and all transfers from the treasury of the United States to a disbursing officer shall be by draft or warrant on the treasury or an assistant treasurer of the United States: Provided, That in places where there is no treasurer nor assistant treasurer of the United States, the Secretary of the Treasury may, when he deems it essential to the public interest, specially authorize in writing the deposit of such public money in any other public depository, or, in writing, authorize the same to be kept in any other manner, and under such rules and regulations as he may deem most safe and effectual to facilitate the payments to public creditors. Deposits where to be made, if there is no treasurer or assist ant. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That if any disbursing officer of the |