"eS 
FIFTIETH CONGRESS, 1887-1889. 1129 
act to purchase of the widow and children of the late Gen. James 
Shields certain swords:” 
Whereas the State of Illinois and the State of South Carolina, after the war with 
Mexico, each presented to the late Gen. James Shields a sword, in consideration of 
gallant and meritorious services rendered by him in said war; and 
Whereas he has left surviving him a widow and three minor children, with but 
limited means of support, and said swords, though costly and valuable, can not be 
divided and apportioned between said children, and their value is needed for the 
education and support of said children: Therefore, 
Be it enacted, etc., That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized and 
directed to purchase of said widow and children said swords, at their actual cost, not 
to exceed the sum of $10,000, to be paid for out of any money in the Treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, and when so purchased the same to be deposited with the 
other military archives of the nation in some public place at the National Museum. 
Whereas these swords. were presented forty years ago; and 
Whereas that presented by the State of Illinois was paid for out of the contingent 
fund of the governor, of which no record remains in the department of state at 
Springfield, Ill.; and 
Whereas the Beh ivss of the State of South Carolina were bamed at Columbia dur- 
ing the civil war, and no record remains of the amount paid for the sword presented 
by the State of South Carolina, and no record or authenticated evidence can be 
obtained; and 
Whereas tradition says that the sword presented by the State of Illinois cost 
$3,000, and the one by the State of South Carolina $5,000: Therefore, 
Resolved, etc., That the Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, authorized and 
directed to construe the words ‘‘at their actual cost’’ in the above-recited act of 
Congress to mean the sum of $8,000. 
Referred to Committee on Military Affairs. 
September 4, 1888—House. 
Mr. R. W. TownsHEnp, from Committee on Military Affairs, 
reported favorably. 
September 25, 1888—House. 
Mr. C. H. Mansur asked for consideration. Mr. C. B. Kinecore 
objected, and the resolution went over. 
REPORT OF SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 
January 16, 1888—House. 
Mr. 8. 8. Cox introduced a concurrent resolution to print reports of 
Smithsonian Institution and National Museum for the years 1886 and 
1887. 
Referred to Committee on Printing. 
January 16, 1888—House. 
Mr. 8. 8. Cox offered a memorial of the Smithsonian Institution as 
to printing reports. . 
Referred to Committee on Printing. 
