he sorrowful. Let
us endeavor to merit the promised recompense of charity and the gracious
acceptance of our praise.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of
the United States to be affixed.

[SEAL.]

Done at the city of Washington, this 8th day of November, A.D. 1890, and
of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and fifteenth.

BENJ. HARRISON.

By the President:
JAMES G. BLAINE,
_Secretary of State_.

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas an act of Congress in regard to collision at sea was approved
September 4, 1890, the said act being in the following words:

_Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled_, That in every case of
collision between two vessels it shall be the duty of the master or
person in charge of each vessel, if and so far as he can do so without
serious danger to his own vessel, crew, and passengers (if any), to stay
by the other vessel until he has ascertained that she has no need of
further assistance, and to render to the other vessel, her master, crew,
and passengers (if any), such assistance as may be practicable and as
may be necessary in order to save them from any danger caused by the
collision, and also to give to the master or person in charge of the
other vessel the name of his own vessel and her port of registry, or the
port or place to which she belongs, and also the name of the ports and
places from which and to which she is bound. If he fails so to do, and
no reasonable cause for such failure is shown, the collision shall, in
the absence of proof to the contrary, be deemed to have been caused by
his wrongful act, neglect, or default.

SEC. 2. That every master or person in charge of a United States vessel
who fails, without reasonable cause, to render such assistance or give
such information as aforesaid shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and shall be liable to a penalty of $1,000 or imprisonment for a term
not exceeding two years; and for the above sum the vessel shall be
liable and may be seized and proceeded against by process in any
district court of the United States by any person; one half such sum to
be payable to the informer and the other half to the United States.

SEC. 3. That this act shall take effect at a time to be fixed by the
President