TWENTY‑NINTH Congress, Session I, Chapter 40.

          Sec. 1.  Be it enacted in the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the passage of this act, the United States marine corps as now organized shall consist of four additional captains, four first lieutenants, four second lieutenants, twenty‑five sergeants, twenty‑five corporals, twenty‑five drummers, twenty‑five fifers, and one thousand additional privates.

          Sec. 2.  And be it further enacted, That the officers thus provided for shall be appointed first by promotion according to rank in the marine corps, and then by selection; and that their nominations shall be submitted to the Senate for their advice and consent.

          Sec 3.  And be it further enacted, That the provisions of an act passed the thirtieth of June, eighteen hundred and thirty‑four, entitled "An act for the better organization of the United States marine corps," be, and the same are hereby, made applicable in all respects to the provisions of this act: Provided, however, That notwithstanding anything in said act to the contrary, the staff of the marine corps be, and the same is hereby, separated from the line of said corps; the officers of the former to receive the same pay and emoluments they now receive by law, and to hold the same assimilated rank, to wit: quartermasters, paymasters, and adjutants, and inspectors, the rank of major, and assistant quartermasters the rank of captain.

          Sec. 4.  And be it further enacted, That the President, at the termination of the Mexican war, shall reduce the marine corps to a number, both in men and officers, not exceeding the number now in service.

          Approved, March 2, 1847.