Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-03-22
AN ACT

BE i: enacted by The SenGte and House I
% Representatives of the United STATES oil
America in Congress assembled, That from
and after the termination OF the war in which
the United States are now engaged with Great
Britain, it shall not be lawful TO employ on
board any of the public or private vessels of
the United States any person or persons ex-l
cept citizens of the United States, or persons |
OF color, natives of tn. U. States
Sec: ?. And be IL further enaere6. That from
and after the time when this act shall take ef-
feet, IT shall not be lawful 10 employ as atorc-
said any naturalized citizens of the United |
States, unless snch citizen shall produce TO the
commander or the public vessel, if to be en- |
ployed on board such vessel. or to collector of
the customs a certified copy OF the act, by |
which he shall have been naturalized, setting |
forth such naturalization and the time thereof |
Sec ). Ind be IL further enacted, That in ali |
cases OF private vessels OF the United States
SAILING from port in the United States TO n |
foreign port, the lis, of the crew, made as |
heretofore directed by law, shalt be examined |
by the collector for the district from which the
vessel shall clear out, and, il approved of by |
him, shall be certified accordingly. And no |
person shall be admitted or employed as afore |
ca'd, OH board OF any vessel aforesaid, unless |
MS name, shall have been entered in the list of
the crew, approx d and certified by the col |
lector for the district from which the vessel 1
shall clear out as aforesaid. And the said col. l
hector before he delivers the list of the crew,
approved and certified as aforesaid to the cap
tain, naster, or proper officer of the vessel to
which the same belongs, shall cau,e the same
To be recorded in book by him for that pur-
pose 10 he provided. and the said record shall
be opea for the inspection of all persons, and
Certified copy thereof shall BIZ admitted in wi
dence in any court in which any question may
arise, under any Of the provisions of this act.
4rH n C.~t I.l,..%. a.
President ofthe United States be, and he here
by Is authorized from time to time, to make
SUCH further regulations, and 10 give such di-
rectipns TO the several commanders of pub
lie vessels, AMI to the Several collectors, as
may be proper and necessary Re specting the
proofs OF citizenship, to be exhibited to the
commanders collectors aforesaid Provided
That nothing contained in such regulations or
dlrectOns,shNl be repugnantt to any of the pro-
visions Of this act
sec D Ind be az further enactcd, That from
and af,sr The time when this act shall take
erect, 10 seaman or other sesfarng man not
peing citizen of the United States, shall be
aamitied or received as a passenger on board
OF any public or private vessel of The United
states, in aforeign port, without permission in
writing from the proper officers of the country
on which such seaman or seafaring man may be
subject or citizen.
Dec 6. .H1,d be IL. further enacted, That
from and alter the time when this act shall
take effect, the consuls or conn. ercial agents
of any nation at peace with the U States
shaii be admitted (under such regulations
as may be prescribed by the President of the
United States) to state their objections to
me proper commanders OF collectors as a
1oresaid, against the employment Of any sea-
iran or seafaring man on beard If any pub
tic or private vessel of the United States.
on account OF his being s,native subject CIR
SitIzen OF such nation, and not embraced
within the description Of persons who may
DC lawfully employed, according to the pro-
visions OF this act and the said consuls or
commercial agents shall also be admitted
nnoer the said regulations, to be present ~
the time when the proofs of citizenship of |
the persons against whom such objections
may have been made, shall be investigated
Dy such commander or collector.
Sec z. Ind be ii. further enacted, That
ltany commander of public vessel of the 1
United States, shall knowingly employ or
permit to be employed. or shall admit or re
celye, or permit to be admitted or received,
on board his vessel, any person whose en-
ployment or admission is prohibited by the
provisions of this act, he shall on conviction
thereof forfeit and pay the sun, of one thou
sand dollars for each person thus unlawful
Iy employed OF admitted on board such veg
sci.
sec. ind be K.fYrther enactrd, That If
any person shall, Contrary tothe prohibitions
OF this act, be employed, or ne received or
board OF any private vessel, the master or
commander, ard he owner or owners az
such vessel, knowing thereof. shalt re SPEC
lively forfeit and pay FIVE hundred tioilars
for each persor thus unlawfuly employed or
received, III any one voyage which sum oi
sums shall be recovered, atho' such seamtr
or persons shall have been admitted AND
enteied IN the certified list of the crew a
forsaid, by the collector for the district I,
which the vessel may belong: and all De.
naIties and fOrfeitures Arising under or in
CURED by virtue of this act may be sued for.
prosecuted, and recovered, with cost of suit,
by action of debt, an. shall accrue and be
one moiety thereof TO the use Of the Uersop
who shall sue for the same, AID the DINER
moiety thereof TO the use of the Uni,cd
States.
Sec. 9. md b. IL farther enactcd, That
nothing in this ret contained shall he COR
strued to prohibit any commander or mas
Ter Of public Or private vessel of the Uni
ted States whilst IN a foreign port or place.
from receiving any American seaman in
conformity to law, or supplying any def
Cheney of seamen on board such vessel, by
employing American seamen or subjects oil
such foreign country, the employment Of
whom shall not be prohibited by the laws
therenf
Sec. 10 md be it further enacted, That
the provisions of this act shall have no eff. |
feet or operation with respect 10 the en- |
pioyment as seamen Of the subjects or citi- |
gems ct any foreign nation which shall not. |
by treaty or special convention with the 90 |
vernment the United States, have prohi- |