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this State, entitled "An act for the preservation of stakes and buoys within the waters of this State, and for other purposes."

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said State, at Providence, on the day and year aforesaid.

[L. S.]

WILLIAM B. WATSON.
Secretary of said State.

STATE OF NEW YORK.

AN ACT, ETC.

The people of the State of New York, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SECTION 12. Any person mooring any vessel to any of the buoys or beacons placed in the harbor of New York by the United States Light-House Board, or in any manner hanging on with a boat or vessel to any such buoy or beacon in said harbor, shall forfeit and pay to the commissioners of the port the sum of fifty dollars for every offense; and any person who shall willfully remove any such buoy or beacon shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, in addition to the punishment which may therefor be inflicted, he shall forfeit and pay to the said commissioners the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars for every offense.

LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER 8.

SEC. 2. That any person mooring any vessel to any of the buoys, beacons, or stakes placed in the navigable waters of this State by the United States Light-House Board, or in any manner hanging on with a boat or vessel to any such buoy, stake, or beacon in said waters, shall forfeit and pay the sum of fifty dollars for every offense; and any person who shall willfully remove, break, or otherwise damage any such buoy, beacon, or stake, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, in addition thereto, shall forfeit and pay the sum of one hundred dollars.

SEC. 3. The penalties enumerated in the second section of this act shall be received by the superintendent of lights of the district in which the offense is committed, to and for the use and benefit of the commissioners of navigation in whose waters the offense is committed.

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CUSTOM-HOUSE, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA,
Collector's Office, December 16, 1872.

SIR: Much complaint is made by owners, masters, and pilots of the constant shifting of can and spar buoys on the river Potomac. The change of position, to a great extent, is caused by the reckless practice of captains and deck-hands making fast to said buoys rather than throw the anchor, and when done during a storm the buoy is often dragged from its proper place, and thus made a false guide to commerce. I find, on examination, there is no United States law or penalty to punish persons for violating the rules of navigation by making fast to and removing buoys from the positions selected by the Light-House Board; that the navigator must look to State laws for redress. It seems to me that the same power that erects buoys for the benefit of commerce should have exclusive jurisdiction over them, and enact a general law for their protection, and not to leave so important a subject for State authorities to enact laws to protect or not as interest might dictate.

Respectfully submitted for your consideration.

Your obedient servant,

H. Ex. 137. -2

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An appropriation to meet indebtedness contracted by the agent for the Arickaree, Gros Ventre, and Mandan Indians, in the northwestern part of Dakota.

JANUARY 25, 1373.-Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Washington, D. C., January 22, 1873. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a letter from the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, dated the 20th instant, inclosing an estimate of appropriation amounting to $76,000, to meet indebtedness contracted by the agent for the Arickaree, Gros Ventre, and Mandan Indians, in the northwestern part of Dakota, in providing them with subsistence, over and above the amount heretofore appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873.

The reasons which necessitated the incurring of this indebtedness are very fully set forth in the letter of the Acting Commissioner, and I respectfully recommend that the subject may be favorably considered by Congress.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. R. COWEN,
Acting Secretary.

The Hon. the SPEAKER of the House of Representatives.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

OFFICE OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, Washington, D. C., January 20, 1873.

SIR: I have the honor to present herewith a copy of a letter from John E. Tappan, United States Indian agent for the Arickaree, Gros Ventre, and Mandan Indians, in the northwestern part of Dakota, inclosing an estimate for the sum of $75,925.67, to meet indebtedness contracted by him in providing subsistence for said Indians over and above

the amount of $75,000 appropriated for their support for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873.

The starving condition of the Indians in his charge, to the number of some 2,400 persons, resulting from the destruction of their crops by grasshoppers, and the total disappearance of all game in that section of the country, induced the agent, in order to prevent starvation among them, to take upon himself the responsibility of contracting this indebtedness, regardless of the fact that there were no means at the disposal of the Department applicable in payment, the balance from last year's ap propriation being merely sufficient to pay salaries of the employés of the agency up to June 30, next.

Referring to the agent's communication on the subject, I respectfully ask that his request for a special appropriation, to provide for the exi gency of the case, may receive the favorable consideration of the Department and of Congress.

I have caused to be prepared, and herewith inclosed, an estimate for the sum of $76,000, or so much thereof as may be required for the pur pose indicated.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

The Hon. SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.

H. R. CLUM. Acting Commissioner.

Estimate of appropriation required for the benefit of the Arickaree, Gros Ventre, and Mandar Indians, in Dakota.

For this amount, or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the subsistence, civilization, and care of the Arickaree, Gros Ventre, and Mandan Indians, at Fort Berthold agency, Dakota, to make up deficiency in the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873...

$76,000

UNITED STATES INDIAN AGENCY, Fort Berthold, November 30, 1872. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith a statement of the account of this agency, with the appropriation set apart for the support of the Indians. You will see upon examination that the amount of indebtedness exceeds the appropriation some $75,925.67. This great indebtedness has been rendered necessary by reason of the failure of the crops, and an epidemic among the deer and antelope, great numbers of which have died, and there is absolutely no game in the country, and the Indians are totally destitute. I have made these purchases and sent you this exhibit in order that you may take this amount up in your deficiency bill, before the present session of Congress, and that the next year's ap propriation may be free from any old debts.

I am aware that I have exceeded my authority, and that the estimates have been exceeded, but the lives of 2,400 faithful and peaceable Indians are dependent upon my exertions, and the care and proper feeding of the sick, aged, and orphans that are intrusted to me must be my excuse. Trusting that this may meet with your approval,

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN E. TAPPAN, United States Indian Agent.

The Hon. COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS,

Washington, D. C.

United States Indian agency in account with appropriation, 1872.

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Annuities transportation:

June 30. To vouchers, E. H. Durfee, (provisions)...
July 12. To vouchers, D. W. Marsh, (provisions).
Sept. 2. To vouchers, D. W. Marsh, (provisions)
Sept. 2. To vouchers, D. W. Marsh, (extra hay).
Sept. 7. To vouchers, D. W. Marsh, (beef)

Sept. 23. To vouchers, D. W. Marsh, (contract hay).
Sept. 27. To vouchers, D. W. Marsh, (provisions)
Oct. 18. To vouchers, Durfee & Peck, (provisions)..
Nov. 1. To vouchers, John H. Charles, (provisions).
Nov. 1. To vouchers, D. W. Marsh, (provisions)
Nov. 25. To vouchers, D. W. Marsh, (provisions).
Estimate:

Oct. 6. To estimate of funds to pay coal contract..
6. To estimate of funds to pay seed-wheat..

Oct.

Oct.

Not estimated for:

6. Estimate of funds to pay employés, first and second quarters, 1873

$16,850 00

17,200 00

11,769 24

4,126 19

1,748 21

2,392 86

2,250 00

19, 192 69 5,050 00 930 23 8,619 72 11,684 05 1,363 24 30,889 24

1,500 00

360 00

15,000 00

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