Foreign armed vessels not affected by this act, nor those of the United States.
Act of June 26, 1812, ch. 107.
Proviso.Sec. 16. And be it further enacted, That nothing in this act contained, shall prevent the sailing of any private armed vessel duly commissioned by any foreign power in amity with the United States, nor of any vessel of the United States duly commissioned by virtue of an act, entitled “An act concerning letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods,” passed on the twenty-sixth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and twelve: Provided always nevertheless, That it shall be lawful for, and the duty of all officers of the customs and revenue officers of the United States, and they are hereby enjoined, to examine, search, and effectually ascertain, the amount and kind of articles all such vessels about sailing may have on board, so as to prevent their taking any cargo or other lading than the stores, provisions, armament, furniture, and equipment, generally proper and necessary for such vessels.
Collectors may seize such articles as are put on board private armed vessels contrary to this act.Sec. 17. And be it further enacted, That whenever it shall appear, on report made to any collector of the customs, by any officer of the customs, revenue officer, or other person, that any private armed vessel has on board any article or articles whatever, goods, wares, merchandise, or cargo private of any description, intended for trade or traffic with the enemies of the United States, either directly or intermediately through any neutral or other person or persons, or for exportation, it shall be the duty of the said collector, and he is hereby authorized, to seize all such articles, goods, wares, merchandise, and cargo of every description, and to have the same landed forthwith, to be proceeded against as forfeited to the United States.
Made the duty of the local district attorney to institute legal proceedings accordingly.Sec. 18. And be it further enacted, That in all such cases it shall be the duty of the district attorney of the United States, for the district within which the said proceedings shall take place, to proceed in due form of law for the condemnation and forfeiture of the said articles to the use of the United States.
Additional fined upon the captains or commanders of such private armed vessels.Sec. 19. And be it further enacted, That in all cases of condemnation as aforesaid, the captain or other commanding officer, and each and every of the owners of such private armed vessels, shall be fined in a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars each.
Continuance of this act.Sec. 20. And be it further enacted, That this act shall be in force from and after the passing thereof, until the first day of January, in the year of of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen, unless a cessation of hostilities between the United States and Great Britain and Ireland and their dependencies, shall take place before that day; in which event, or in any other event that shall, in the opinion of the President, render the termination of the embargo hereby imposed compatible with the public interest, the President of the United States is hereby authorized to declare by proclamation, that this act is to cease and have no effect.
Approved, December 17, 1813.
Statute ⅠⅠ.
[Obsolete.]
Chap. II.—An act making certain partial appropriations for the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,Appropriation of one million five hundred thousand dollars. That a sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars be, and the same is hereby appropriated towards defraying the expenses of the military establishment of the United States during the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen.
Compensation to the Senate and House of Representatives.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the following sums be appropriated for the purposes herein recited, that is to say: Towards defraying the compensation granted by law to the members of the Senate and House of Representatives, their officers and attendants, during the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, the sum of fifty thousand dollars.
