ing to the subjects or citizens of any such prince or state, colony, district, or people, the same being at war with any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, with whom the United States are at peace, by adding to the number of the guns of such vessel, or by changing those on board of her for guns of a larger calibre, or by the addition thereto of any equipment solely applicable to war, every person, so offending, shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars and be imprisoned not more than one year. SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall, within the territory or jurisdiction of the United States, begin or set on foot, or provide or prepare the means for, any military expedition or enterprise, to be carried on from thence against the territory or dominions of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, with whom the United States are [at] peace, every person, so offending, shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor, and shall be fined not exceeding three thousand dollars, and imprisoned not more than three years. SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That the district courts shall take cognisance of complaints, by whomsoever instituted, in cases of captures made within the waters of the United States, or within a marine league of the coasts or shores thereof. SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That in every case in which a vessel shall be fitted out and armed, or attempted to be fitted out and armed, or in which the force of any vessel of war, cruiser, or other armed vessel, shall be increased or augmented, or in which any military expedition or enterprise shall be begun or set on foot, contrary to the provisions and prohibitions of this act; and in every case of the capture of a ship or vessel within the jurisdiction or protection of the United States as before defined, and in every case in which any process issuing out of any court of the United States shall be disobeyed or resisted by any person or persons having the custody of any vessel of war, cruiser, or other armed vessel of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, or of any subjects or citizens of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, in every such case it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, or such other person as he shall have empowered for that purpose, to employ such part of the land or naval forces of the United States, or of the militia thereof, for the purpose of taking possession of and detaining any such ship or vessel, with her prize or prizes, if any, in order to the execution of the prohibitions and penalties of this act, and to the restoring the prize or prizes in the cases in which restoration shall have been adjudged, and also for the purpose of preventing the carrying on of any such expedition or enterprise from the territories or jurisdiction of the United States against the territories or dominions of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, with whom the United States are at peace. SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, or such person as he shall empower for that purpose, to employ such part of the land or naval forces of the United States, or of the militia thereof, as shall be necessary to compel any foreign ship or vessel to depart the United States in all cases in which, by the laws of nations or the treaties of the United States, they ought not to remain within the United States. SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That the owners or consignees of every armed ship or vessel sailing out of the ports of the United States, belonging wholly or in part to citizens thereof, shall enter into bond to the United States, with sufficient sureties, prior to clearing out the same, in double the amount of the value of the vessel and cargo on board, including her armament, that the said ship or vessel shall not be employed by such owners to cruise or commit hostilities against the subjects, citiVOL. III.-57 2 P 2 Fine and imprisonment for any person's setting on foot within the jurisdiction of the United tary expedition States, any mili against a friendDistrict courts ly power. to take cognisance of complaints. The President, or such person as he may au thorize, in the cases mention ed, may em ploy the land or naval forces, or the militia, for the purpose of provisions of carrying the this act into effect. The President, &c. may em ploy the land or naval forces, or the militia, to compel the departure of a vessel which ought not to remain, &c. Owners, &c. of armed vessels sailing out of the United States to give bond, &c. not to commit hos tilities, &c. against a friendly power. Collectors required to detain vessels built for warlike purposes, and about to depart, when circumstances render it probable that they are intended to commit hostili ties against a friendly power. The acts of 5th June, 1794, ch. 50, of 14th zens, or property, of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, with whom the United States are at peace. SEC. 11. And be it further enacted, That the collectors of the customs be, and they are hereby, respectively, authorized and required to detain any vessel manifestly built for warlike purposes, and about to depart the United States, of which the cargo shall principally consist of arms and munitions of war, when the number of men shipped on board, or other circumstances, shall render it probable that such vessel is intended to be employed by the owner or owners to cruise or commit hostilities upon the subjects, citizens, or property, of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district, or people, with whom the United States are at peace, until the decision of the President be had thereon, or until the owner or owners shall give such bond and security as is required of the owners of armed ships by the preceding section of this act. SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That the act passed on the fifth day of June, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, entitled, "An act June, 1797, ch. in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the 1, of April 24, United States," continued in force, for a limited time, by the act of the 1800, ch.35,and second of March, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, and of 3d March, 1817, ch. 58, re-perpetuated by the act passed on the twenty-fourth of April, one thousand pealed. eight hundred, and the act, passed on the fourteenth day of June, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, entitled "An act to prevent citizens of the United States from privateering against nations in amity with, or against the citizens of, the United States," and the act, passed the third day of March, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen, entitled, "An act more effectually to preserve the neutral relations of the United States," be, and the same are hereby, severally, repealed: Provided, nevertheless, That persons having heretofore offended against any of the acts aforesaid, may be prosecuted, convicted, and punished as if the same were not repealed; and no forfeiture heretofore incurred by a violation of any of the acts aforesaid shall be affected by such repeal. Proviso. Offenders against repealed acts punished. Nothing in the foregoing act to prevent the punishment of treason, &c. SEC.13. And be it further enacted, That nothing in the foregoing act shall be construed to prevent the prosecution or punishment of treason, or any piracy defined by the laws of the United States. APPROVED, April 20, 1818. STATUTE I. April 20, 1818. Act of March 25, 1816, ch.35. tinued until 3d March, 1819. The act con CHAP. XC.-An Act to continue in force an act entitled "An act relating to settlers on lands of the United States." Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That an act, entitled, " An act relating to settlers on the lands of the United States," passed the twenty-fifth of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, be, and the same is hereby, continued in force for one year from and after the third day of March last. APPROVED, April 20, 1818. STATUTE I. April 20, 1818. Act of March, 2, 1807, ch. 22. Act of March CHAP. XCI. An Act in addition to "An act to prohibit the introduction (importation) of slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight," and to repeal certain parts of the same. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That from and after the passing of this act, it shall not be lawful to import or bring, in any manner Negroes not whatsoever, into the United States, or territories thereof, from any foreign 3, 1819, ch. 77. Act of May 15, 1820, ch. 113. with intent to them as slaves. Vessels in which they are imported forfeited. No person to equip vessels for the slave trade in the ports of the United States. kingdom, place, or country, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, with to be imported, intent to hold, sell, or dispose of, any such negro, mulatto, or person of hold colour, as a slave, or to be held to service or labour; and any ship, vessel, or other water craft, employed in any importation as aforesaid, shall be liable to seizure, prosecution, and forfeiture, in any district in which it may be found; one half thereof to the use of the United States, and the other half to the use of him or them who shall prosecute the same to effect. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That no citizen or citizens of the United States, or any other person or persons, shall, after the passing of this act, as aforesaid, for himself, themselves, or any other person or persons whatsoever, either as master, factor, or owner, build, fit, equip, load, or otherwise prepare, any ship or vessel, in any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, nor cause any such ship or vessel to sail from any port or place whatsoever, within the jurisdiction of the same, for the purpose of procuring any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, from any foreign kingdom, place, or country, to be transported to any port or place whatsoever, to be held, sold, or otherwise disposed of, as slaves, or to be held to service or labour; and if any ship or vessel shall be so built, fitted out, equipped, laden, or otherwise prepared, for the purpose aforesaid, every such ship or vessel, her tackle, apparel, furniture, and lading, shall be forfeited, one moiety to the use of the United States, and the other to the use of the person or persons who shall sue for said forfeiture, and prosecute the same to effect; and such ship or vessel shall be liable to be seized, prosecuted, and condemned, in any court of the United States having competent jurisdiction. SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That every person or persons so building, fitting out, equipping, loading, or otherwise preparing, or sending away, or causing any of the acts aforesaid to be done, with intent to employ such ship or vessel in such trade or business, after the passing of this act, contrary to the true intent and meaning thereof, or who shall, in any wise, be aiding or abetting therein, shall, severally, on conviction thereof, by due course of law, forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars, nor less than one thousand dollars, one moiety to the use of the United States, and the other to the use of the person or persons who shall sue for such forfeiture and prosecute the same to effect, and shall moreover be imprisoned for a term not exceeding seven years, nor less than three years. of Vessels equipped for the slave trade forfeited, &c. Half to the person suing, &c. Persons con cerned in fitting out vessels for the slave trade, &c. subject to a fine. Imprisonment, &c. Citizens or residents liable to a fine and to imprisonment, for transporting persons not held to service, &c. by the laws of the United States, &c. SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That if any citizen or citizens of the United States, or other person or persons resident within the juris diction of the same, shall, from and after the passing of this act, take on board, receive, or transport, from any of the coasts or kingdoms of Africa, or from any other foreign kingdom, place, or country, or from sea, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, not being an inhabitant, nor held to service by the laws of either of the states or territories of the United States, in any ship, vessel, boat, or other water craft, for the purpose holding, selling, or otherwise disposing of, such person as a slave, or to be held to service or labour, or be aiding or abetting therein, every such person or persons, so offending, shall, on conviction, by due course of law, severally forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding five thousand, nor less than one thousand dollars, one moiety to the use of the United States, and the other to the use of the person or persons who shall sue for such forfeiture and prosecute the same to effect; and, moreover, shall suffer imprisonment, for a term not exceeding seven years nor less than three years; and every ship or vessel, boat, or other water craft, on which such negro, mulatto, or person of colour, shall have been taken on board, forfeited. received, or transported, as aforesaid, her tackle, apparel, and furniture, and the goods and effects which shall be found on board the same, or shall have been imported therein in the same voyage, shall be forfeited, one moiety to the use of the United States, and the other to the use of Vessel, &c. Slaves imported in violation of this act, to be disposed of as the territorial authorities may prescribe, &c. Persons bringing in any negro, &c. from a foreign place, &c. or holding, selling, such negro, &c. when brought in, as a slave, forfeit not more than ten, nor less than one, thousand dolls. and are subject to imprisonment. Persons hold ing, buying, or selling, &c. any &c. negro, brought as a slave, in any way, from a foreign place, or from adjoin ing foreign do minions. Proviso; the forfeiture not to extend to the seller or purchaser of any negro, &c. under the lawful regulations of a state, &c. Onus proban dant. the person or persons who shall sue for and prosecute the same to effect; and every such ship or vessel shall be liable to be seized, prosecuted, and condemned, in any court of the United States having competent jurisdiction. SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That neither the importer or importers, nor any person or persons claiming from or under him or them, shall hold any right, interest, or title whatsoever, in or to any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, nor to the service or labour thereof, who may be imported or brought into the United States or the territories thereof in violation of the provisions of this act, but the same shall remain subject to any regulations, not contravening said provisions, which the legislatures of the several states or territories may at any time heretofore have made, or hereafter may make, for disposing of any such negro, mulatto, or person of colour. SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That if any person or persons whatsoever shall, from and after the passing of this act, bring within the jurisdiction of the United States, in any manner whatsoever, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, from any foreign kingdom, place, or country, or from sea, or shall hold, sell, or otherwise dispose of, any such negro, mulatto, or person of colour, so brought in, as a slave, or to be held to service or labour, or be in any wise aiding or abetting therein, every person so offending shall, on conviction thereof by due course of law, forfeit and pay, for every such offence, a sum not exceeding ten thousand nor less than one thousand dollars, one moiety to the use of the United States, and the other to the use of the person or persons who shall sue for such forfeiture, and prosecute the same to effect; and, moreover, shall suffer imprisonment, for a term not exceeding seven years nor less than three years. SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That if any person or persons whatsoever shall hold, purchase, sell, or otherwise dispose of, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, for a slave or to be held to service or labour, who shall have been imported or brought, in any way, from any foreign kingdom, place, or country, or from the dominions of any foreign state immediately adjoining to the United States, into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, from and after the passing of this act, every person so offending, and every person aiding or abetting therein, shall severally forfeit and pay, for every negro, mulatto, or person of colour, so held, purchased, sold, or disposed of, one thousand dollars, one moiety to the use of the United States, and the other to the use of the person or persons who may sue for such forfeiture, and prosecute the same to effect, and to stand committed until the said forfeiture be paid: Provided, That the aforesaid forfeiture shall not extend to the seller or purchaser of any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, who may be sold or disposed of in virtue of any regulations which have been heretofore, or shall hereafter be, lawfully made by any legislature of any state or territory in pursuance of this act and the constitution of the United States. SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That in all prosecutions under di on the defen- this act, the defendant or defendants shall be holden to prove that the negro, mulatto, or person of colour, which he or they shall be charged with having brought into the United States, or with purchasing, holding, selling, or otherwise disposing of, and which, according to the evidence in such case, the said defendant or defendants shall have brought in aforesaid, or otherwise disposed of, was brought into the United States at least five years previous to the commencement of such prosecution, or was not brought in, holden, purchased, or otherwise disposed of, contrary to the provisions of this act; and in failure thereof, the said defendant or defendants shall be adjudged guilty of the offence of which he or they may stand accused. In failure of proof the de fendant to be guilty. SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That any prosecution, informa Prosecutions be sus may tion, or action, may be sustained, for any offence under this act, at any time within five years after such offence shall have been committed, any tained within law to the contrary notwithstanding. SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That the first six sections of the act to which this is in addition, shall be and the same are hereby repealed: Provided, That all offences committed under the said sections of the act aforesaid, before the passing of this act, shall be prosecuted and punished, and any forfeitures which have been incurred under the same shall be recovered and distributed, as if this act had not been passed. APPROVED, April 20, 1818. five years. The first six sections of the act of 2d March, 1807, repealed. Act of March 2, 1807, ch. 22. CHAP. XCII.-An Act to establish and alter certain post roads. In New Hampshire.-From Concord, by Loudon, Gilmanton Middleton, Lewis, Eaton, Conway, and Fryeburg. In Massachusetts.-From Kingston to Halifax. In Connecticut.-From Hartford, by Springfield, to Northampton, In Virginia. From Clarksburg, by Lewis Courthouse, to Point Pleasant. From Clarksburg, by Buchanan, to Beverly. In Kentucky.-From Glasgow to Lebanon, Tennessee. In Georgia. From Madison to Monticello. From Montgomery Courthouse, by Blackmore's and Hardin's, to Riceboroug. In Pennsylvania.-From Montrose, by Orwell and Warren, to Athens. From Middleton to York Haven. In Alabama. From Fort Stoddert to Ford's, on Pearl river. In Missouri.-From St. Louis to St. Charles. In New York.-From Esperanza, by Schoharie Courthouse, to Middleburg. From Albany, by Spencertown, to Sheffield, Massachusetts. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the following be established post roads: In Maine.-From Augusta, by Belgrade and Dearborn, to Mercer. From Canaan, by Cornville, Athens, Harmony, Ripley, Dexter, Garland and Corinth, to Bangor. From North Yarmouth, by Pownal, Durham, Lisbon, and Litchfield, to From Alfred, by Sanford and Lebanon, to Shapleigh. From Belfast, by Brooks and Jackson, to Dixmont. From Norridgewalk, by Stark's and Mercer, to New Sharon. From Bath to Phippsburg. From Anson, in Somerset county, by New Portland, Freeman, Phillips, In New Hampshire.-From Walpole, by Alstead, to Ackworth. From Concord, by Canterbury, Northfield, Meredith, Moultonborough, From Amherst, by Goffstown, West Meeting House, Dunbarton, Hop |