What is to be done with stamped vellum &c. in case of the change of marks or stampsSec. 17. And be it further enacted, That as often as any alteration or renewal shall be made of, or in the marks or stamps before in use, or any of them, it shall be lawful for all persons who shall, at that time, have in their custody or possession, any vellum, parchment or paper, marked with any mark or stamp, which shall be so altered or renewed and upon which any of the matters or things hereby charged shall not have been written or printed, at any time within the space of sixty days, after the intention of renewing or altering shall be notified as aforesaid, to bring or send such vellum, parchment or paper, unto some office of inspection; and the officer of inspection, to whom they shall be brought or sent, is hereby required to deliver, or cause to be delivered, unto the several persons who shall so bring and deliver any quantity of vellum, parchment or paper, the like quantity of vellum, parchment or paper, and as good in quality, stamped with such new stamp or mark, without demanding or taking, directly or indirectly, for the same, any money or other consideration whatsoever. And in case any person shall neglect or refuse, within the time aforesaid, to bring, or cause to be brought and delivered unto some officer of inspection, any such vellum, parchment or paper, the same is hereby declared to be of no other effect or use, than if it had never been marked or stamped; and all matters and things which shall, after that time, be written or printed thereon, shall be of no other effect, than if they had been written or printed on vellum, parchment or paper not marked or stamped: And all persons who shall write or print any of the matters or things hereby charged, on such vellum, parchment or paper, after the said time, shall forfeit and suffer as herein before is enacted for persons writing or printing on vellum, parchment or paper not marked or stamped.
Officers collecting the duties to keep accounts and remit monies.Sec. 18. And it be further enacted, That all and every the officer and officers who shall be concerned in the levying, collecting and receiving the duties arising by this act, shall keep a separate and distinct account thereof, and shall pay or remit the same, as speedily as may be, after it shall be received, according to the orders of the department of the treasury.
Salaries and incidental charges.Sec. 19. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to cause such sum and sums of money to be expended and paid, from time to time, for salaries, compensations, and other incidental charges as shall be necessary in and for the receiving, collecting, levying or managing of the said duties, so as that the whole amount thereof, shall not exceed five per centum of the gross total product of the said duties.
Penalties how to be sued and appropriated.Sec. 20. And be it further enacted, That all fines, penalties and forfeitures, which shall be incurred by virtue of this act, shall be sued for and recovered in the name of the United States, or of the supervisor of the revenue, within whose district any such fine, penalty or forfeiture shall have been incurred, by bill or information, in any circuit or district court of the United States, or in any court of either of the said states; one half thereof to the use of the persons who, if an officer of inspection, shall first discover; if other than an officer of inspection, shall first inform of the cause whereby any such fine, penalty or forfeiture shall have been incurred (except in the cases in which a different disposition thereof may have been herein before made) and the other half to the use of the United States.
Limitation.Sec. 21. And be it further enacted, That this act shall continue and be in force for, and during the term of five years, and from thence to the end of the next session of Congress, and no longer.
Approved, July 6, 1797.