# United States Statutes at Large/Volume 5/25th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 31

Chap. XXXI.—An Act supplementary to an act entitled “An act in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States, and to repeal the acts therein mentioned,” approved twentieth of April, eighteen hundred and eighteen.
Said officers required to seize any vessel, &c. about to pass the frontier of the U. S. for any place within a foreign state, &c. conterminous with the U. S. where there is probable cause to believe that said vessel, &c. are intended to be employed in carrying on a military expedition, &c. Proviso.Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the several officers mentioned in the foregoing section shall be, and they are hereby respectively authorized and required to seize any vessel or vehicle, and all arms or munitions of war, about to pass the frontier of the United States for any place within any foreign State or colony, conterminous with the United States, where the character of the vessel or vehicle, and the quantity of arms and munitions, or other circumstances shall furnish probable cause to believe that the said vessel or vehicle, arms, or munitions of war are intended to be employed by the owner or owners thereof, or any other person or persons, with his or their privity, in carrying on any military expedition or operations within the territory or dominions of any foreign prince or State, or any colony, district, or people conterminous with the United States, and with whom the United States are at peace, and detain the same until the decision of the President be had for the restoration of the same, or until such property shall be discharged by the judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction: Provided, That nothing in this act contained shall be construed to extend to, or interfere with any trade in arms or munitions of war, conducted in vessels by sea, with any foreign port or place whatsoever, or with any other trade which might have been lawfully carried on before the passage of this act, under the law of nations and the provisions of the act hereby amended.
Officers making seizures under this act shall apply to the district judge for a warrant to justify the detention of the property seized; which warrant shall be granted on oath, &c.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the officer making any seizure under this act, to make application, with due diligence, to the district judge of the district court of the United States within which such seizure may be made, for a warrant to justify the detention of the property so seized; which warrant shall be granted only on oath or affirmation, showing that there is probable cause to believe that the property so seized is intended to be used in a manner contrary to the provisions of this act; and if said judge shall refuse to issue such warrant, or application therefor shall not be made by the officer making such seizure within a reasonable time, not exceeding ten days thereafter, the said property shall forthwith be restored to the owner. But if the said judge shall be satisfied that the seizure was justified under the provisions of this act, and issue his warrant accordingly, then the same shall be detained by the officer so seizing said property, until the President shall order it restored to the owner or claimant, or until it shall be discharged in due course of law, on the petition of the claimant, as hereinafter provided.
The owner of property seized may file his petition in the circuit or dist. court U. S. in the dist. where the seizure was made. The circuit and dist. courts invested with power to try all cases arising under this act, &c.Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That the owner or claimant of any property seized under this act, may file his petition in the circuit or district court of the United States, in the district where such seizure was made, setting forth the facts in the case; and thereupon such court shall proceed, with all convenient despatch, after causing due notice to be given to the district attorney and officer making such seizure, to decide upon the said case, and order restoration of the property, unless it shall appear that the seizure was authorized by this act: and the circuit and district courts shall have jurisdiction, and are hereby vested with full power and authority, to try and determine all cases which may arise under this act; and all issues in fact arising under it, shall be decided by a jury, in the manner now provided by law.
Whenever the officer shall have obtained a warrant for the detention of property seized, or the claimant shall not have obtained its restoration by petition, and it shall have been detained three months, the claimant may file a bond, &c.Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That whenever the officer making any seizure under this act shall have applied for and obtained a warrant for the detention of the property, or the claimant shall have filed a petition for its restoration, and failed to obtain it, and the property so seized shall have been in the custody of the officer for the term of three calendar months from the date of such seizure, it shall and may be lawful for the claimant or owner to file with the officer a bond to the amount of double the value of the property so seized and detained, ​with at least two sureties, to be approved by the judge of the circuit or district court, with a condition that the property, when restored, shall not be used or employed by the owner or owners thereof, or by any other person or persons with his or their privity, in carrying on any military expedition or operations within the territory or dominions of any foreign prince or State, or any colony, district, or people, conterminous with the United States, with whom the United States are at peace; and thereupon the said officer shall restore such property to the owner or claimant thus giving bond:Proviso. Provided, That such restoration shall not prevent seizure from being again made, in case there may exist fresh cause to apprehend a new violation of any of the provisions of this act.
Persons admitted to bail shall give additional security not to violate the provisions of the act hereby amended.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That every person apprehended and committed for trial, for any offence against the act hereby amended shall, when admitted to bail for his appearance, give such additional security as the judge admitting him to bail may require, not to violate, nor to aid in violating, any of the provisions of the act hereby amended.
The President authorized to direct the judge, &c. to attend at such place within the district as he may designate, for the more speedy arrest and examination of persons charged, &c.Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That whenever the President of the United States shall have reason to believe that the provisions of this act have been, or are likely to be violated, that offences have been, or are likely to be, committed against the provisions of the act hereby amended, within any judicial district, it shall be lawful for him, in his discretion, to direct the judge, marshal, and district attorney, of such district, to attend at such place within the district, and for such time, as he may designate, for the purpose of the more speedy and convenient arrest and examination of persons charged with the violation of the act hereby amended; and it shall be the duty of every such judge or other officer, when any such requisition shall be received by him, to attend at the place and for the time therein designated.
The President, &c. may employ the land or naval forces, &c. to prevent the violation, &c. of this act, &c.Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, or such person as he may empower for that purpose, to employ such part of the land or naval forces of the United States, or of the militia, as shall be necessary to prevent the violation, and to enforce the due execution, of this act, and the act hereby amended.
This act limited to two years.Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That this act shall continue in force for the period of two years, and no longer.
Approved, March 2, 1838.