pension, and does not allow it to be taken away from the recipient, by any process of law, for debt, or for any cause whatever.

The preceding provisions are extended not only to those who have been injured in some of the great wars, but also to those who have been disabled in any of the Indian wars, of which we have had many, and which we are still having.

CHAPTER LXX.

U. S. HOSPITALS AND ASYLUMS.

1. THE Hospitals and Asylums for the sick, disabled, and insane in any country, are the evidences of the humanity, benevolence and Christian charity of the Government of that country; and we know of none, in ancient or modern times, where these benovolent institutions exist in greater number, or with greater efficiency than in the United States. They have been established by the general Government, and by the several State Governments; by charitable societies, and by individuals; not only for the sick and infirm, but for the blind, the deaf, the insane and the idiotic. We do not propose to go into any general history or description of these institutions, but only to notice those established by the United States Government, and now under its control, in order to show its care for those who have served their country, but are unable to provide for their wants.

2. The Hospitals and Asylums for sick and disabled soldiers and seamen, are located in different parts of the country; and in such places as are the most accessible and convenient to those who are under the necessity of retiring to these places of refuge.

The United States have established four kinds of these

institutions; principally for the relief of their soldiers and seamen. The first of these are the

MARINE HOSPITALS.

3. These are located near important sea ports. At these places seamen depart for, and arrive from their voyages, and are found in the greatest numbers; and here the funds for the support of the Marine Hospitals are collected, as is the tonnage upon ships, viz., by the collectors of the ports. For this purpose, the law authorizes the collectors of customs to demand and receive the sum of twenty cents per month from the wages of every sailor; and every master of a vessel is obliged to render to the Collector an accurate account of the number of seamen on board his vessel, and of the time they have been employed by him, since his last entry into any port of the United States. These twenty cents the captain must pay the collector; but he is allowed to deduct it from each seaman's wages. In this manner the funds for the building, furnishing and support of the marine hospitals are raised. The collectors of the ports pay them into the United States Treasury, and the Treasurer disburses them to the directors of the Hospitals as they are needed. The directors are appointed by the President. They appropriate the funds and have the general direction and management of the institutions.

4. These provisions are contained in an act, entitled "An act for the relief of sick and disabled seamen," passed in 1798. Seamen, whether in the merchant service or in the naval service of the United States, were indiscriminately taxed for the support of these hospitals; and both had the same rights, privileges and benefits in them. The

money thus collected from seamen is called "Hospital money," and the fund is denominated "the Marine Hospital Fund." In 1864, there were 24 Marine Hospitals in the United States.

NAVY HOSPITAL.

5. In 1811, an act was passed to establish Navy Hospitals, for the exclusive use of such seamen as belonged to the Navy. This new institution was at first placed under the management of a Board of Commissioners known as the Commissioners of Navy Hospitals. This commission consisted of the Secretaries of the Navy, Treasury and War. But in 1832 this was changed; and the Secretary of the Navy was made sole trustee of the Navy Hospital Fund, which was made up of $50,000 appropriated by Congress for that purpose, together with twenty cents per month collected from seamen belonging to the navy, and the fines imposed on navy officers, seamen and marines.

6. The Commissioners were authorized to purchase, or erect suitable buildings for Navy Hospitals.

We need not go further in our remarks upon this institution, for in all their objects and purposes, they are so similar to these of the Marine Hospitals just described, that anything further would be little more than repetition.

MILITARY ASYLUMS.

7. In 1851, Congress passed an act for the establishment of Military Asylums, for the purpose making the same provisions for wounded and disabled soldiers as had already been made for that class of seamen. These institutions

are located in different sections of the country, where deemed most eligible and convenient for those who need such a refuge.. They are placed under the government of a Board of Commissioners, consisting of the General in Chief, and eight other military officers of high rank, who submit their acts to the Secretary of War for his approval.

8. The officers of these asylums must be taken from the Army, and consist of a Governor, a deputy Govenor and Secretary, who is also Treasurer. The funds for their support are raised by a tax of 25 cents per month on the soldiers, to which are added the fines and penalties adjudged against soldiers by courts-martial, with forfeitures for desertion, &c.

Persons receiving pensions from the Government may be admitted into these asylums upon condition that they surrender their pensions to the use of the institution while they remain in it.

The Commissioners are authorized to buy sites and buildings for these institutions, and to receive donations. of them. They also furnish them with whatever is necessary for the comfort of the inmates, and make such laws and regulations for their government as they deem proper.

Deserters, mutineers, and habitual durnkards, are excluded from the benefits of these asylums.

INSANE ASYLUM.

9. Among these benevolent institutions provided by a generous Government for the support of those who have faithfully served their country, the Insane Asylum ought to be noticed. The title of this establishment is "The