Chapter 1478. To provide for celebrating the birth of the American nation, the first permanent settlement of English-speaking people on the Western Hemisphere, by the holding of an international naval, marine, and military celebration in the vicinity of Jamestown, on the waters of Hampton Roads, in the State of V
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CHAP. 1478.— An Act To provide for celebrating the birth of the American nation, the first permanent settlement of English-speaking people on the Western Hemisphere, by the holding of an international naval, marine, and military celebration in the vicinity of Jamestown, on the waters of Hampton Roads, in the State of Virginia; to provide for a suitable and permanent commemoration of said event, and to authorize an appropriation in aid thereof, and for other purposes. March 3, 1905. [[H.
R. 19203](/us/bill/58/hr/19203).] [[Public, No. 211](/us/pl/58/211).] Jamestown Ter-Centennial celebration.Preamble.Whereas it is desirable to commemorate in a lifting and appropriate manner the birth of the American nation, the first permanent settle-1047ment of English-speaking people on the American continent, made at Jamestown, Virginia, on the thirteenth day of May, sixteen hundred and seven, in order that the great events of American history which have resulted therefrom may be accentuated to the present and future generations of American citizens; and Whereas that section of the Commonwealth of Virginia where the first permanent settlement was made is conspicuous in the history of the American nation by reason of the vital and momentous events which have there taken place in the colonial.
Revolutionary, and civil war eras of the nation, including not only the first permanent settlement of English-speaking people, but also the scene of the capitulation of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, and the scene of the first naval conflict between armor-clad vessels, the Monitor and Merrimac: Therefore *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That there shall be inaguratedInternational celebration authorized. in the year nineteen hundred and seven, on and near the waters of Hampton Roads, in the State of Virginia, as heroin provided, an international naval, marine and military celebration, beginning MayDate. thirteenth, and ending not later than November first, nineteen hundred and seven.
Sec. 2. In furtherance of the object set forth in section one of thisAppropriation for expenses. Act there is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to be available until expended, the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, to be expended under rules and regulations to be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury and upon vouchers to be approved by him and apportioned as follows: Fifty thousand dollars for the expenditures which shall be made byCommission. the commission hereinafter created and not herein specifically provided for, in prewiring for and conducting said celebration, including the expenses of said commission.
One hundred and twenty-five thousandEntertainment of foreign guests. dollars for the official entertainment of foreign military and naval representatives, of which amount one hundred thousand dollars shall be expended by the commander in chief of the North Atlantic Fleet, under the supervision of the Secretary of the Navy, and twenty-five thousand dollars thereof by the Chief of Staff of the Army under the supervision of the Secretary of War. Fifty thousand dollars for aMonument. permanent monument upon the place of the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, and in commemoration thereof; the site and design to be selected by the Commission hereinafter named, subject to the approval of the President: *Provided,* That the site be*Proviso*.Site. donated to the United States by proper deed.
Fifteen thousand dollarsMoorings. for permanent moorings for the use of vessels participating in said celebration at Hampton Roads, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Navy. Ten thousand dollars for exhibiting on the sceneMonitor and Merrimac exhibition. of the engagement between the Monitor and Merrimac one or more of the old monitors of that period in order to illustrate the progress of naval construction. Sec. 3. The President of the United States is hereby authorized toInvitation to foreign nations. make proclamation of said celebration, setting forth the event to be commemorated, inviting foreign nations to participate by the sending of their naval vessels and such representation of their military organizations as may be practicable, and to have such portions of our Army and Navy assembled there during the said celebration as may be compatible with the public service.
And the President is also authorizedMilitia to be invited. to invite participation in said celebration by the militia of the several States, but at their own expense. Sec. 4. And the President of the United States is hereby authorizedCommission created. to constitute a Commission to consist of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War, and the Secretary of the Navy, to be known as the Jamestown Ter-Centennial Commission, The said CommissionPowers and duties. 1048shall have full power and authority to do any and all things by this Act required to be done far the carrying on of said celebration, including the detail of such persons as may be necessary for clerical and other services in connection with the work of said Commission from the Departments of which they arc respectively at the head, and not in terms expressly entrusted to others, and all things necessary to the appropriate inauguration and successful holding of said celebration, *Proviso.*Limitation on expenditures.whether herein expressly enumerated or not: *Provided, however,* That said Commission shall do no act which will require any expenditure of money in excess of the sums herein appropriated, and should it transcend this limitation the Government of the United States will not be bound by its nets.
Approved, March 3, 1905.