United States Congress (July 5, 1838) approved An Act to increase the present military establishment of the United States, and for other purposes:
<Section 18. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the officers composing the council of administration at any post, from time to time, to employ such persons as they may think proper to officiate as chaplains, who shall also perform the duties of a schoolmaster at such post; and the person so employed shall, on the certificate of the commanding officer of the post, be paid such sum for his services, not exceeding forty dollars per month, as may be determined by the said council of administration, with the approval Secretary of War. In addition to his pay, the said chaplain shall be allowed for rations per diem, with quarters and fuel.> 1838US001
Congress had previously passed the order:
<The commanders of all ships and vessels in the navy having chaplains on board shall take care that divine service be performed in an orderly and reverent manner twice a day, and a sermon preached on Sunday, except bad weather or other extraordinary accident prevent it, and that they cause all, or as many of the ship's company as can be spared from duty, to attend every performance of the worship of Almighty God.
Chap. 204.-An Act for the better government of the navy of the United States. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That, from and after the first day of September next, the following articles be adopted and put in force for the government of the navy of the United States.
Article 1. The commanders of all fleets, squadrons, naval stations, and vessels belonging to the navy are strictly enjoined and required to show in themselves a good example of virtue, honor, patriotism, and subordination; to be vigilant in inspecting the conduct of all who may be placed under their command; to guard against and suppress all dissolute and immoral practices, and to correct all who may be guilty of them, according to the laws and regulations of the navy, upon pain of such punishment as a general court-martial may think proper to indict.
Article 2. The commanders of vessels and naval stations to which chaplains are attached shall cause divine service to be performed on Sunday, whenever the weather and other circumstances will allow it to be done; and it is earnestly recommended to all officers, seamen, and others in the naval service diligently to attend at every performance of the worship of Almighty God. Any irreverent or unbecoming behavior during divine service shall be punished as a general or summary court-martial shall direct.> 1838US002
On March 2, 1849, Congress extended the 1838 Act in An Act to provide for the increase of the Medical Staff, and for an additional number of Chaplains of the Army of the United States:
<Section 3. And be it further enacted, That the provisions of the Act of eighteen hundred and thirty-eight be, and hereby are, extended so as to authorize the employment of ten additional chaplains for military posts of the United States. [Referenced in the House Judiciary Committee Report of 1854.]> 1838US003
--
American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1838US001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). United States Congress, July 5, 1838. Benjamin Franklin Morris, The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States (Philadelphia: George W. Childs, 1864), p. 316.
1838US002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). United States Congress, Act passed. Benjamin Franklin Morris, The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States (Philadelphia, PA: L. Johnson & Co., entered, according to Act of Congress, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1863; George W. Childs, 1864), pp. 315-316.
1838US003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). United States Congress, March 2, 1849, in Section 3 of An Act to provide for the increase of the Medical Staff, and for an additional number of Chaplains of the Army of the United States. Benjamin Franklin Morris, The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States (Philadelphia, PA: L. Johnson & Co., entered, according to Act of Congress, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1863; George W. Childs, 1864), p. 316.