# United States Statutes at Large/Volume 3/13th Congress/1st Session/Chapter 14

Chap. XIV.—An Act concerning suits and costs in courts of the United States.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That whenever there shall be severalWhen several actions are brought against persons who might be legally sued in one action, costs can only be recovered as in one. actions or processes against persons who might legally be joined in one action or process, touching any demand or matter in dispute before a court of the United States or the territories thereof, ​ if judgment be given for the party pursuing the same, such party shall not thereon recover the costs of more than one action or process, unless special cause for several actions of processes shall be satisfactorily shown on motion in open court.
Costs to be recovered only in one libel when that is sufficient.Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That whenever proceedings shall be had on several libels against any vessel and cargo which might legally be joined in one libel before a court of the United States or of the ​territories thereof, there shall not be allowed thereon more costs than on one libel, unless special cause for libelling the vessel and cargo severally shall be satisfactorily shown as aforesaid. And in proceedingsNo more costs than one libel or information for the same cause of forfeiture. on several libels or informations against any cargo or parts of cargo or merchandise seized as forfeited for the same cause, there shall not be allowed by the court more costs than would be lawful on one libel or information, whatever ever may be the number of owners or consignees therein concerned: but allowance may be made on one libel or information for the costs incidental to several claims: Provided, Proviso. That in case of a claim of any vessel or other property seized on behalf of the United States and libelled informed againstOn a claim of property libelled, if the property is restored, the claimant shall only pay his own costs. Causes may be consolidated, to avoid the unnecessary costs or delay. Attorney or proctor to pay excess costs if proceedings have been multiplied unreasonably. as forfeited under any of the laws thereof, if judgment shall pass in favour of the claimant, he shall be entitled to the same upon paying only his own costs.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That whenever causes of like nature, or relative to the same question shall be pending before a court of the United States or of the territories thereof, it shall be lawful for the court to make such orders and rules concerning proceedings therein as may be conformable to the principles and usages belonging to courts for unnecessary avoiding unnecessary costs or delay in the administration of justice, and accordingly causes may be consolidated as to the court shall appear reasonable. And if any attorney, proctor, or other person admitted to manage and conduct causes in a court of the United States or of the territories thereof, shall appear to have multiplied the proceedings in any cause before the court so as to increase costs unreasonably and vexatiously, such person may be required by order of court to satisfy any excess of costs so incurred.
Approved, July 22, 1813.