each passenger per day, and that there shall also be issued, at convenient times, not less often than twice a week, a supply of provisions after the rate of seven pounds of bread, biscuit, flour, oatmeal, or rice, per week, provided that one-half at least of the supply shall consist of bread or biscuit, and that potatoes may be employed to the extent of the remaining half of the supply, five pounds of potatoes being computed as equal to one pound of the other articles enumerated."
The Laws of the United States require each passenger to be furnished with a weekly allowance of 6 lbs. of meal, 2½ lbs Navy bread, 1 lb. wheat flour, 1 1lb. salt pork, free from "bone," 3 quarts of water per day, 2 oz. of tea, 8 oz. of sugar, 8 oz. of molasses, and vinegar. Children also, under twelve years of age (not including infants) are to be furnished according to the recent Act of Congress, with 7 pounds of bread stuffs per week, including 1 pound of salt pork, half allowance of tea, sugar and molasses, and full allowance of water and vinegar. This supply must consist of wholesome food, in the several items. The other regulations of these acts have especial reference to the cleanliness, room, &c, of the vessel, and to prevent its being overcrowded.†
The laws of the several state legislatures on this head, have reference only to municipal regulations, and come in force only on the arrival of the vessel at the several ports. To give a general idea of these regulations, we will cite only some of the provisions contained in
† Vide. Laws of the U. S. for 1847. Act of Congress, approved February 22d.
