Chapter XXXVI. to provide for the adjustment of claims of persons entitled to indemnification under the convention between the United States and his majesty the King of Denmark, of the twenty-eighth March, eighteen hundred and thirty, and for the distribution among such claimants of the sums to be paid by the Dani
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Chap. XXXVI.— An Act to provide for the adjustment of claims of persons entitled to indemnification under the convention between the United States and his majesty the King of Denmark, of the twenty-eighth March, eighteen hundred and thirty, and for the distribution among such claimants of the sums to be paid by the Danish government to that of the United States according to the stipulation of the said convention. Feb. 25, 1831. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled*, Commissioners to meet, &c.
That the commissioners who are or may be appointed by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, in pursuance of the third article of the convention between the United States of America and his majesty the King of Denmark, signed at Copenhagen the twenty-eighth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and thirty, shall meet at Claims to be decided on within two years.Washington city, in the District of Columbia, and, within the space of two years from the time of their first meeting, shall receive, examine, and447 decide upon the amount and validity of all such claims as may be presented to them, and are provided for by the convention referred to, according to the merits of the several cases, and to justice, equity, and the law of nations, mid according to the provisions of said convention.
Sec. 2. *And be it further enacted*, That all records, documents, or otherDocuments. papers, which now are in, or hereafter, during the continuance of this commission, may come into the possession of the Department of State, in relation to such claims, shall be delivered to the commission aforesaid. Sec. 3. *And be it further enacted*, That the said commissioners, or aDay of first meeting. majority of them, with their secretary, whose appointment is hereinafter provided for, shall convene in this city on the first Monday of April next, and shall proceed to execute the duties of their commission; andNotice thereof. the Secretary of State shall be, and he is hereby, authorized and required forthwith, after the passing of this act, to give notice of the said intended meeting, to be published in one or more public gazettes in the city of Washington, and in such other public papers, published elsewhere in the United States, as he may designate;
Sec. 4. *And be it further enacted*, That the said commissioners shallClaims to be examined, &c. proceed immediately after their meeting in the city of Washington, with all convenient despatch, to arrange and docket the several claims, and to consider the evidence which shall have-been, or which may be offered by the respective claimants, allowing such further time for the productionTime for producing evidence. of such further evidence as may be required, and as they shall think reasonable and just; and they shall thereupon proceed to determine the said claims, and to award distribution of the sums to be received by the United States from the King of Denmark under the stipulations of the convention aforesaid, among tire several claimants according to their respective rights.
Sec. 5. *And be it further enacted*, That the said commissioners shallPowers to make rules. be, and they are hereby, authorized and empowered to make all needful rules and regulations, not contravening the laws of the land, the provisions of this act, or the provisions of the said convention, for carrying their said commission into full and complete effect. Sec. 6. *And be it further enacted*, That the President of the UnitedSecretary. States be, and he is hereby, authorized, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint a secretary to the said commission.
Sec. 7. *And be it further enacted*, That the said commissioners andOath. secretary shall severally take an oath for the faithful performance of the duties of their respective offices. Sec. 8. *And be it further enacted*, That the compensation of the respectiveCompensation. officers for whose appointment provision is made by this act shall not exceed the following sums: to each of the said commissioners at the rate of three thousand dollars per annum, and to the secretary of the board at the rate of two thousand dollars per annum; and the PresidentContingent expenses. of the United States shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to make such provision for the contingent expenses of the said commission as shall appear to him reasonable and proper; and the said salaries and expenses shall be paid out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Sec. 9. *And be it further enacted*, That all moneys to be received fromMoney received from the Danish government. the Danish government under the convention aforesaid, shall be paid into the treasury of the United States, and shall constitute a fund for satisfying the awards of the commission provided for by this act. Sec. 10. *And be it further enacted*, That all communications to orPostage. from the secretary of the board of commissioners on the business of the commission, shall pass by mail free of postage.
Sec. 11. *And be it further enacted*, That as soon as the said commission shall be executed and completed, the records, documents, and all other papers in the possession of the commission or its officers, shall be deposited in the office of the Secretary of State. Approved, February 25, 1831.