Forfeitures and penalties.military stores, arms, or munitions of war or provisions, shall be forfeited to the use of the United States, and the person or persons aiding or privy to the same shall severally forfeit and pay to the use of the United States a sum equal in value to the wagon, cart, sleigh, boat, or thing by which the said naval or military stores, arms, or munitions of war or articles of provision, are transported, or are attempted to be transported; and shall moreover be considered as guilty of a misdemeanor, and be liable to be fined in a sum not exceeding five hundred dollars, and imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months, in the discretion of the court:Proviso. Provided, that nothing herein contained shall extend to any transportation for the use or on account of the United States or the supply of its troops or armed force.[1]
Collectors authorized to seize naval and military stores, &c.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the collectors of the several ports of the United States be, and the same are hereby authorized to seize and stop naval or military stores, arms, or the munitions of war, or any articles of provision, and ship or vessel, wagon, cart, sleigh, boat, or thing by which any article prohibited as aforesaid is shipped or transported, or attempted to be shipped or transported, contrary to the provisions of this act.
None but vessels belonging to citizens of the United States or inhabitants of countries in amity with them, to be admitted to entry.
Exceptions.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That no ship or vessel belonging to any citizen or citizens, subject or subjects of any state or kingdom in amity with the United States, except such as at the passage of this act shall belong to the citizen or citizens, subject or subjects of such state or kingdom, or which shall hereafter be built in the limits of a state or kingdom in amity with the United States, or purchased by a citizen or citizens, subject or subjects of a state or kingdom in amity with the United States aforesaid, from a citizen or citizens of the United States, shall be admitted into any port or place of the United States, unless forced by stress of weather, or for necessary repairs; and any ship or vessel, belonging to a citizen or citizens, subject or subjects of any state or kingdom in amity with the United States, as aforesaid, except such ships and vessels as are above excepted, which shall, from and after the first day of November next, enter, or attempt to enter any port or place aforesaid, the same, with her cargo, shall be forfeited to the use of the United States.
British packets, &c. &c. may enter till September.
Cartels and flags of truce.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That any British packet or vessel with despatches destined for the United States, and which shall have departed from any port or place in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland or its dependencies, on or before the first day of September next, shall not be liable to be captured or condemned, but the same shall be permitted to enter and depart from any port or place in the United States: Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be construed to affect any cartel, or vessel with flag of truce.
Passports may be given for six months for British property.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized to give, at any time within six months after the passage of this act, passports for the safe transportation of any ship or other property belonging to British subjects, and which is now within the limits of the United States.
Penalties for taking licenses to trade with British ports.Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That every person being a citizen of the United States, or residing therein, who shall receive, accept, or obtain a license from the government of Great Britain, or any officer thereof, for leave to carry any merchandise, or send any vessel into any port or place within the dominions of Great Britain, or to trade with- ↑ Fat cattle are provisions, or munitions of war within the meaning of the act of Congress of July 6, 1812, to prohibit American vessels from proceeding to, or trading with, the enemies of the United States, and for other purposes. United States v. Job L. Barber, 9 Cranch, 243; 3 Cond. Rep. 405.United States v. Sheldon, 2 Wheat. 119; 4 Cond. Rep. 62.The sending of armed vessels, or munitions of war from a neutral country to a belligerent port, for sale as articles of commerce, is unlawful only as it subjects the property to capture by other belligerents. The Santissima Trinidad, 7 Wheat. 283; 5 Cond. Rep. 284.
