the wants of the Government in each year, let, power and authority, to throw around the lives that surplus be disposed of by Congress, after and fortunes of those thus exposed, all the safeit reaches the public coffers, in such mode as guards which a wise and prudent legislation shall be consistent with the principles of justice, can give.

and in accordance with the purposes of the

The committee have had more difficulty in constitution; but they are opposed to pledging determining the extent of the power of Conthe proceeds for State purposes, and thereby gress to legislate over the subject, than to deput it out of the power of Congress so to le- cide what would be the proper legislation by gislate upon the subject of the public lands, as a sovereign possessing unlimited and unrestrictto meet the wants of the community, and the ed powers over persons and things. condition of the country.

Resolved, therefore, That it is inexpedient to make sale of the public lands to the S'ates in which they respectively are situate.

Resolved, That it is inexpedient at this time, to divide the proceeds of the public lands among the several States, to be expended in said States for State purposes.

Whatever power of legislation over this subject is vested in Congress, refers itself to the 3d section of the 1st article of the Constitution of the United States, which deciares "that Congress shall have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the Indian tribes."

Under this power to regulate commerce The committee, however, with a view of among the several States, the right of Congress eliciting information upon the subject, submit to prescribe the mode, manner, or form of con-› for the consideration of the House, a joint reso-struction of the vehicles of conveyance to be lution, without wishing to be understood as used for the transportation of commodities, is giving their assent in favor of the sale to the not perceived or recognised by the committee. States at this time. Whether the boat or vessel shall be propellResolved by the Senate aud House of Repre-ed by the wind,or by paddles, or by steam, and, 'sentatives of the United States of America, in if by steam, whether it shall be a high or low Congress assembled, That it shall be the duty pressure engine, &c., are questions with which of the Secretary of the Treasury to submit to it is believed Congress have nothing to do.. the legislatures of the several States in which And if the power were given by the Constituany portion of the public lands may be situation, its exercise might be of doubtful expedi. ted, through their respective chief magistrates, ency.

propositions for the sale of such portions of the It is better to leave the subject of the applipublic domain within the limits of each, as may cation of steam power to the propelling of remain unsold; and report their several replies boats, to the sound discretion of those conto Congress as soon as practicable. cerned, and to the improvements of the age,

1

SEC. 2. And be it further resolved, That it than to attempt, by any legislation of ours, to shall be the duty of said Secretary, in the mean prescribe the particular kind of machinery to time, to obtain the best possible information be employed.

from the several land offices, surveyors general, If the suggestions of some, whose communi. and such other sources as he may deem expe- cations have been referred to the committee, dient, relative to the quantity, quality, and were adopted, and Congress should undertake value of the public lands which remain unsold to prescribe, by legislation, the particular dein each State, and report such information in like manner.

STEAMBOATS.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1832.

scription of steam engines-their shape, construction or model, to be employed on board of steam vessels, it would be extremely difficult for Congress to keep pace in its legislation with the rapid march of improvement upon the subject of the application of steam power to machinery. Our legislation would lag behind the efforts of science and practical improvement. That which this Congress would

Mr. WICKLIFFE, from the Select Committee adopt as the best and most expedient to be ento which the subject had been refeferred, forced by its legislation, would perhaps be made the following report : condemned upon actual experiment or trial. The select committee to whom was referred The committee have made these general rethe report of the Secretary of the Treasury, marks in answer to the varied and numerous and the documents accompanying the same, recommendations contained in the mass of doupon the subject of the explosions of boilers in cuments which accompany the report of the boats propelled by steam, have had the same Secretary of the Treasury, that Congress should under consideration, and devoted as much of prescribe and adopt some general or uniform their time to its investigation as was compatible rule by which the machinery of steamboats with the discharge of their other duties as mem- shall be constructed, in whole or in part. bers of this House. Many of these communications contain matThe distressing calamities which have result-ter of interest, and are worthy to be communied from the explosion and collapsion of the cated to the public, from which much scientiboilers of steamboats-the increasing dangers fic and practical information may be derived by to which the lives and property of so many of those engaged in constructing and navigating our fellow-citizens are daily and hourly expos- steamboats. A selection of such as, in the ed from this cause, unite in their demands upon judgment of the committee, would be of advanthat Government, possessing the competent tage to the public, has been made, and are

numbered from 1 to 20, inclusive. The com or by the legislation of Congress, can be affordmittee submit them without the expression of ed. The remedy for this evil, if it belongs to any opinion of their own, to the judgment of legislation at all, must be furnished by the lethose whose intelligence and experience will gislation of the several States. It would, in the enable them to determine correctly upon their opinion of the committee, be wiser, however, respective merits. to leave it to be supplied by the interest and discreet judgment of the owners and masters of steamboats, which will always dictate the em. ployment of those best skilled as engineers; whose characters would compel them to the performance of their duties as such, in a manner most advantageous to their employers and most reputable to themselves.

An inquiry into the causes which produce the explosions of steam boilers, has engaged, for a series of years, the labors of many able and scientific men. The committee do not propose to pursue this subject by obtruding any opinions or speculations of their own. They will content themselves by stating, in brief, all the causes to which this effect of steam has been ascribed by the practical and scientific investigators.

1st. The faulty construction of boilers, 2d. The defective material of which they have been composed.

3d. Long use, by which the original strength of boilers has been weakened, and thereby rendered incapable of sustaining that pressure of steam for which they were originally construct ed.

4th. Carelessness and want of skill in the engineers.

5th. An undue pressure of steam beyond the capacity of the strength of the boiler, no matter how perfect its construction or sound its material originally may have been.

Explosions which take place from the 1st, 2d, or 3d causes, enumerated above, may be truly said to be beyond the preventive power or control of the, engineer. He cannot tell, when called to the management of an engine on board of a steamboat, that there has been a fault in the construction of the boilers—a defect in the material out of which they are composed-or that, by its too long use, the original strength has been so far impaired as not to be capable of 'sustaining the ordinary pressure of steam which belongs to the capacity of the boiler. He may not know how long the boilers or boat have been in use; consequently, no skill of his, thus situated, is, or can be, competent to guard against explosions, produced by any or all of these causes.

6th. From a deficiency in the supply of wa- The committee propose to furnish him and ter, producing an overheated steam, and in the community the means, by legislative enacte creasing the heat of the flues of the boiler,ments, of testing the strength of boilers, aswhich, when brought into sudden contact with certaing their age, and determining whether water, through the agency of the supply pump, the boat is fit for navigation. in increased quantities, produces a quality in steam which often causes explosions the most dangerous and disastrous.

It is proposed that there shall be appointed by the President of the United States, or by the Secretary of the Treasury, at suitable and conNo legislation is competent to annihilate venient points upon the navigable rivers, and hose causes, or to prescribe and enforce, the bays, and lakes of the United States, compemeans of preventing their operation in all cases.tent persons, whose duty it shall be to inspect Steam, and the mode of its application to ma- the boats and boilers thereof, and test the chinary, is an agent which must be left to the control of intellect and practical science. It only belongs to legislation to excite, by rewards and punishments, that faithful applica tion of those engaged in its use, which will best guard against the dangers incident to negligence.

strength of the boilers by hydraulic pressure. To require this to be done at least once in every three months, as a condition upon which, a registry shall be made, or license granted, to a steamboat or vessel, under the laws of the United States.

In this way, it is believed, these hidden and secret defects in boilers-injuries arising by incrustations in their bottoms-and the effects of use and time, can and will be detected.

It has been ascertained in the west, that a steamboat, after six or seven years use, is unfit for safe navigation.

The melancholy incidents which have occur red by the explosion of many of the boilers of steamboats in the waters of the United States; the shock which is universally felt on these occasions, bad impressed the committee with an opinion that the destruction of human life had been much greater than it turns out to be upon The many trials and tests to which the metal further and more minute investigation. and strength of a boiler is exposed every The whole number of explosions in the Unit- year, of this six or seven, must reduce its oried States are ascertained to be fifty-two; num-ginal strength and capacity for resisting the ber of killed, 256; and number of wounded, power of steam.

104.

So far as the committee are informed, there

The committee propose to provide, by legis. exists, at this time, no system or practice, in any lation, some safeguard against explosions pro- portion of the Union, by which the strength of duced by the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 6th causes stated a steam boiler is tried, after it has passed the above. Against 4th and 5th causes, viz., care- first ordeal in the hands of the original maker; lessness and want of skill in the engineer; and and, generally, the first evidence which is af an undue pressure of steam upon the boiler be, forded of its unfitness for use, is by its exployond its capacity, no adequate remedy, through sion, thereby destroying the lives and fortunes

of many of our wealthy and enterprising citi-lation proposed, upon the score of expense, and as an inducement to a compliance with the

zens.

tice.

It is when one or more of these causes exist, requirements proposed by the bill, the expense and exert a separate or combined influence, that of making the inspection of the boat and of explosions have taken place, when there was testing the valve, as proposed, the bill provides no deficit of water in the boiler, and no unu- that the cost shall be paid by the United sual pressure of steam upon the engine; and, States. in many cases, when the pressure of steam at the time was less than had ordinarily been giv-and trial, cannot exceed six hours in every six The time necessary to make the inspection en. Without an inspection and trial of strength,months. in some such mode as that herein indicated, boilers condemned, will excite men to vigilance The apprehension of having their how is it possible to guard against or prevent and care on the part of the masters and enexplosions, by any skill or vigilance on the part of the engineer? All the plans of safety-quently to remove the incrustations, of salt or gineers. They will be induced more fre.. valves and improvements recommended in their lime, which are constantly forming in the construction or management, cannot, will not, boilers, and in progress of time will, more or prevent explosions from one or all of the three tess, affect their strength. first causes stated. They may appear plausible in theory, but would be unavailing in prac-mittee have been induced to consider and In connection with this subject, the comThose explosions, produced by the sixth inquire into other causes of danger to the lives cause, viz. a defect of water in the boilers, &c; ventured to propose, for the consideration of and property on board of steamboats, and have may, more or less, if not altogether, be guarded the House, the possible means of preventing against by the vigilance and skill of the en gineer, when the engine is properly construct them; at least, of mitigating the extent of the ed; so that the force pump shall be competent, Pevil consequences incident to them. The first by its action, to supply the water as fast as it to which your committee will advert, is the may be converted into steam. Sometimes the destruction of steamboats by fire. Three cases functions of this pump are suspended by acci- of this description have recently occurred, one dent, at others, by design on the part of the in the waters of New York, and two on the engineer. If by accident, then the skill of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. On board of one engineer may be competent to detect and avert of the boats recently destroyed on the Ohio the evil. river, there were 174 passengers, 100 of whom It often happens, when a steamboat is were burned to death, or drowned, in attemptstopped to take in, or let out, passengers, or ing to escape from the flames. When a steamloading, when detained for the purpose of boat takes fire in the upper deck or cabin, the "wooding," that the engineer neglects or fails names spread with such rapidity, it often hap to ungeer his wheels or paddles, and keep his pens that she is consumed before she reaches engine in motion, by which the steam would be worked off regularly, and the boiler Every boat should be provided with a comsupplied with water; he trusts too long and too petent number of long boats and yawls, to fatally to his safety-valve and the strength of the enable the passengers to seek safety in flight, hofter. The fires are kept up, the water is in case of fire, or sudden destruction, by sinking. converted into steam that becomes heated, the Such was not the case in the instance alluded water sinks below the flues, which become to, and in other cases of a similar kind, when heated to excess; and when the engine is the passengers have been compelled to choose started, the water is thrown into the boilers in an increased quantity, which coming in contact with the flues heated to a red heat, is instantly converted into steam in greater quantities than Every steamboat, before she is licensed or can be worked off by the engine, or escape registered, the owner or master should be rethrough the safety valve. Thus it is, almost quired to provide, as a part of her furniture, a all of the explosions which have taken place suitable fire engine and hose; also, a competent from this cause have occurred, while the boat number of long boats or yawls, to be reguwas stationary, or immediately after getting lated in proportion to her tonnage; and under way. he should be bound to carry the same in To guard against accidents of this descrip- good order, upon every voyage. The addition, the committee propose to make it the tional expense would be trifling. With the aid duty, under a heavy penalty, of a master of a of a fire engine, it is believed that the fire of boat and the engineer, whenever his boat is any steamboat, taken in time, might be extinstationary, for any cause, to ungeer the wheels, guished, certainly checked, so far as to enable keep the engine in motion, supply the boilers the passengers to escape. with water, and work off the steam.

the shore.

between the dread alternatives of either remaining on the boat, and be consumed by fire, or jumping into the river and be drowned.

The next cause of danger, to which your Neither of these regulations can prove bur-committee would invite the attention of the thensome or inconvenient to the navigation of House, and invoke for it, as for the others, its steamboats. It is believed they will furnish legislative interposition-is, that of steamboats some security to the lives of passengers. To moving in opposite directions in the night, obviate all possible objections to the first regu-coming in contact. This often happens when

contact.

both are using every exertion to avoid such on the internal commerce "among the several States," to provide the means of preserving the It is often impossible for the pilot of one boat to lives of those on board from danger of steam, of tell the direction of the other; and frequently, at fire, or of water.

the moment when least expected, they come in The conditions which the committee propose contact, producing disasters most fatal to the to add to those already imposed, on the fulfillives of passengers on board. This difficulty ment of which, steam vessels are enrolled and has been felt on the rivers of the west, and in- obtain licenses to navigate the waters of the juries to such an extent sustained, that some United States, are not burthensome or inconregulation by Congress is imperiously de-venient; they are reasonable and proper, and manded. if enforced, will give additional security to the Upon advising with a gentleman, whose ex- lives and property of the most enterprising perience entitles him to great consideration, he citizens.

recommended that it should be made the duty The committee, therefore, report a bill and of the commandant of the boat, descending the earnestly entreat the House to give to it that river, to shut off his steam and permit his boat consideration which the nature and importance to float with the current, whenever of the two of the subject demand; and if the same shall be boats came withir, one half mile of each other. approved, that the House will pass upon it at The ascending boat would then assume the the present session; and, as far as possible, give responsibility of steering clear of the descending quiet and repose to the public mind, which has boat. The master or pilot, on board of the been so long and so anxiously directed to this ascending boat, in that event, would labor subject."

under no mistake as to the particular direction

A

BILL to provide for the better security of the lives of passengers on board of vessels propelled in whole or in part by steam.

of the one descending, as he must know that her Mr. WICKLIFFE, from the Select Committee direction was regulated by the current of the to which the subject had been referred, restream. This regulation, it is true, would, not ported the following bill; apply to boats navigating the bays, lakes, and tide-water rivers of the United States; but it is equally true, that in these waters, such regula. tion is not so much required, because of the greater width and depth of channel. It is otherwise in the rivers, and particularly in the rivers of the west, where the channels are narrow and in places very shoal.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That it shall be the duty of all owners of steamboats, or vessels propelled To guard against accidents on tide waters, in whole or in part by steam, on or before the the bill makes it the duty of the master and first day of October, one thousand eight bunowner of the boat to keep suspended, in the dred and thirty two, to make a new enrolment bow and stern of his boat, a light, at least three of the same, under the existing laws of the Unifeet above the deck of his vessel, whenever the ted States, and take out from the collector or same shall be navigated at night.. surveyor of the port, as the case may be, where If it be asked of the committee, whence is such vessel is enrolled, a new license, under the power of Congress derived to enact these such conditions as are now imposed by law, regulations and impose these conditions upon and as shall be imposed by this act the navigators of steam vessels? they respond Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall to the inquiry, by referring to the same general not be lawful for the owner, master, or captain grant of power, under which Congress has of any steamboat, or vessel propelled in whole undertaken to regulate the navigation and to or in part by steam, to transport any goods, prescribe the duties and responsibilities of wares, and merchandize, or passengers, in or masters of ships and vessels at sea, or engaged upon the bays, lakes, rivers, or other navigable in the coasting trade. waters of the United States, from and after the If Congress possess the power to compel said first day of October, one thousand eight the master or owner of a vessel, sailing from hundred and thirty two, without having first the United States to a foreign port or country, obtained, from the proper officer, a license unto provide for the use and benefit of his crew, a der the existing laws, and without having com. medical chest; or to prescribe the quantity and plied with the conditions imposed by this act i kind of provisions and water he shall take on and for each and every violation of this section, board; (and surely no one will be found, at this the owner or owners of said vessel shall forfeit day, to question this power so long exercised and pay to the United States the sum of five by the Congress of the United States;) then, it hundred dollars, one half for the use of the inis respectfully contended by the committee, that former; and for which sum or sums the steamthe like power exists and should be exerted to boat, or vessel so engaged, shall be liable, and enact and enforce all the regulations which may be seized and proceeded in against, sumthey have recommended and embodied in the marily, by way of libel, in any district court of bill reported. If Congress have power to re- the United States having jurisdiction of the ofquire the captain of a ship to provide his crew fence.

with the means of preserving health on board, Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall the like power exists to compel the masters be the duty of the President to appoint at such and owners of steamboats, engaged in carrying ports on the navigable waters, bays, lakes, and

rivers of the United States, as, in his judgment, thereof, he or they shall forfeit the license will be most convenient to the owners and mas-granted to such boat or vessel, and be subject ters of steamboats and vessels propelled in to the same penalty as though he had run said whole or in part by steam, one or more persons boat or vessel without having obtained such liskilled or competent to make inspections of cense, to be recovered in like manner. such boats and vessels, and of the boilers and machinery employed in the same, whose duty it shall be to make such inspection when called upon for that purpose, and to give to the owner or master of such boat or vessel duplicate certificates of such inspection.

Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That when ever the master of any boat or vessel, or the person or persons charged with navigating said boat or vessel, which is propelled in whole or in part by steam, shall stop the motion or headway of said boat or vessel, or when the said boat Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the or vessel shall be stopped for the purpose of person who shall be called upon to inspect the discharging or taking in cargo or passengers, hull of any steamboat or vessel, under the pro- or when "wooding," and the steam in said boil. visions of this act, shall, after a thorough exa-er shall be equal to one

the ascertained

mination of the same, give to the owner or mas- strength of said boiler, he or they shall keep ter, as the case may be, a certificate, in which the engine of said boat or vessel in motion sufshall be stated the age of said boat or vessel, ficient to work the pump, give the necessary when and where originally built, and the length of time the same has been running. And he shall also state whether, in his opinion, the said boat or vessel is sound and fit to be used for the transportation of freight or passengers; for which service so performed on every boat or vessel, the inspector shall be paid and allowed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the sum of

dollars.

supply of water, and to keep the steam down in said boiler to what it is when the said boat is under headway, at the same time lessening the weight upon the safety valve, so that it shall give way when the steam in said boiler is equal to one of its ascertained strength, under the penalty of two hundred dollars for each and every offence.

Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the penalties imposed by this act may be sued for, and recovered in the name of the United States, in the district court of such district or circuit where the offence shall have been committed or the forfeiture incurred, one half to the use of the informer, and the other to the use of the United States.

Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the person or persons who shall be called upon to inspect the boilers and machinery, under the third section of this act, fully and thoroughly to inspect and examine the engine and machinery of said boat, and state his opinion of its soundness; and he shall, moreover, provide himself with a suitable hydraulic Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That it shall pump, and, after examining into the state and be the duty of the owner and master of every condition of the boiler or boilers of such boat steam vessel engaged in the transportation of or vessel, it shall be his duty to test the strength freight or pssengers, to provide, and to carry and soundness of said boilers by applying to the with the said boat or vessel, upon each and evsame an "hydraulic pressure, equal to three ery voyage, one long-boat or yawl for each fifty times the pressure that the boilers are allowed tons of said boat or vessel, which long-boat or to carry in steam," and if he shall be of opinion, yawl shall be competent to carry at least twelve after such examination and test, that the said persons; and for every failure in this particular, machinery and boiler are sound and fit for use, the said master and owner shall forfeit and pay he shall deliver to the owner or master of such three hundred dollars. vessel or boat duplicate certificates to that ef Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That it fect, stating therein the age of the said boilers; shall be the duty of the master and owner of one of which it shall be the duty of the said every steam vessel, to provide, as a part of the master and owner to deliver to the collector or necessary furniture, a suction hose, and fire ensurveyor of the port wherever he shall apply gine and hose, suitable to be worked on said for license, or for a renewal of a license, the other he shall cause to be posted up, and kept in some conspicuous part of the said boat for the information of the public; and, for each and ev. ery inspection and test of the boiler so made, the inspector shall be paid, by the Secretary of the Treasury, the sum of ten dollars.

a

boat in case of fire, and carry the same upon each and every voyage in good order, and for failure to do which, they, and each of them, shall forfeit and pay the sum of three hundred dollars.

Sec. 11. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of a master and pilot of a Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That it shall steamboat, except those navigating tide water, be the duty of the owners and masters of steam-when descending any river or stream in the boats to cause the inspection, provided under night, where the descending boat shall come the fourth section of this act, to be made at within one halt mile of an ascending steamboat, least once in every twelve months; and the ex- to shut off steam, and permit his boat to float amination and trial of the strength of the boilers of his boat, required by the fifth section, at least once in every three months, and deliver to the collector or surveyor of the port, where his boat or vessel has been enrolled or licenced, the certificate of such inspection; and, on a failure

upon the current of the river, until the ascending boat shall have passed, and the master and owner of the ascending boat shall then assume the responsibility of steering clear of the descending boat, and liable, in damages, to the extent of the injury which may be sustained.