(No. 17.)—Joint Resolution for the Relief of Pursers in the Navy, as to Expenditures made in Pursuance of Orders during the War with Mexico, and for other Purposes.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the accounting officers of the Treasury are authorized and directed to credit pursers of the navy with payments made by them for carrying on hostilities against Mexico, during the late war with that republic, whether the expenditures were made on land or water: Provided, That said payment shall have been made under orders of the naval officer in command, and approved by the Secretary of the Navy: And provided, That satisfactory vouchers are produced to establish such payments.

Sec. 2. And be it further resolved, That every disbursement of public moneys, or disposal of public stores, made by order of any commanding officer of the navy, which shall be objected to by the accounting officers of the treasury in the settlement of the accounts of any disbursing officer shall, nevertheless, be allowed to such disbursing officer, and the commanding officer, by whose order such disbursement or disposal was made, shall be held accountable for the same: Provided, That satisfactory evidence of such order, and of the payment of public moneys or disposal of public stores, under the same, shall be produced.

Approved, March 3, 1849.