Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled.  That from and after the passing of this act, a Steam-boat employed or intending to be employed in a river or bay of the United Sates, owned wholly or in part by an alien, resident within the United States, may and shall be enrolled and licensed, as if the same belonged to a citizen of the United States, according to and subject to all the conditions, limitations and provisions contained in the act, entitled "an act for enrolling and licensing ships or vessels to be employed in the coasting trade and fisheries, and for regulating the same," except that in such case no oath or affirmation shall be required that the said boat belongs to a citizen or citizens of the United States.

Sec. 2.  And be it further enacted.
That the owner or owners of such steam-boat, upon application for enrollment or license, shall give bond to the collectors of the district to and for the use of the United States, in the penalty of one thousand dollars with sufficient surety, conditioned that the said boat shall not be employed in other water, than the rivers and bays of the United States.

March 12, 1812
 Approved,

JAMES MADISON

 

Made possible by the Rivers Institute and the
History Department of Hanover College.

 

How to cite this article:  "An Act Respecting the Enrolling and Licensing of Steam-Boats," Louisiana Gazette (St. Louis, Louisiana Territory), 2 May 1812, pg. 2, available at http://history.hanover.edu/texts/1811.