ca, in Congress
assembled, That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the
Navy, immediately after the passage of this act, to enter into
contract with Joseph Bryan, of Alabama, and George Nicholas
Saunders, of New York, and their associates, for the building,
equipment, and maintenance of three steam-ships to run between
the United States and the coast of Africa, upon the following
terms and conditions, to wit:

"The said ships to be each of not less than four thousand tons
burden, to be so constructed as to be convertible, at the least
possible expense, into war steamers of the first class, and to be
built and equipped in accordance with plans to be submitted to
and approved by the Secretary of the Navy, and under the
superintendence of an officer to be appointed by him, two of said
ships to be finished and ready for sea in two and a half years,
and the other within three years after the date of the contract,
and the whole to be kept up by alterations, repairs, or
additions, to be approved by the Secretary of the Navy, so as to
be fully equal to the exigencies of the service and the faithful
performance of the contract. The said Secretary, at all times, to
exercise such control over said ships as may not be inconsistent
with the provisions of this act, and especially to have the power
to direct, at the expense of the Government, such changes in the
machinery and internal arrangements of the ships as he may at any
time deem advisable.

"Each of said ships to be commanded by an officer of the Navy,
who with four Passed Midshipmen to act as watch officers, and any
mail agents who may be sent by the Government, shall be
accommodated and provided for in a manner suitable to their rank,
at the expense of the contractors. Each of said ships, if
required by the Secretary, shall receive two guns of heavy
calibre, and the men from the United States Navy necessary to
serve them, who shall be provided for as aforesaid. In the event
of war the Government to have the right to take any or all of
said ships for its own exclusive use on payment of the value
thereof; such value not exceeding the cost, to be ascertained by
appraisers chosen by the Secretary of the Navy and the
contractors.

"Each of said ships to make four voyages per annum; on