United States Statutes at Large/Volume 3/13th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 13
Chap. XIII.—An Act providing for the further defence of the ports and harbours of the United States.
President may cause hulks to be sunk for greater security of ports and harbours.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President be, and he is hereby authorized, whenever the same shall be deemed necessary for the defence and security of any of the ports and harbours of the United States, to cause to be hired or purchased, hulks, or other means of impediment to the entrance of the ships or vessels of the enemy, to be sunk with the consent of the proper authority of the state in which such port of harbour may be, and the same to be removed whenever in his opinion it may be done with safety to such ports or harbours.
Appropriation.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That to defray any expense which may be incurred under this act, the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated, to be paid out of any moneys in the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Approved, July 16, 1813.