Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-08
y BILL.

\ BILL
For the relation Of seamen on board the public
vessels anG in the merchant service of the u.
States.
Be 1t enacted &c That from and after the ter
mination, by treaty of peace, of the war i'm
which the United States are now engaged with
Great Britain, it shall not be lawful to employ
as seamen or otherwise, on board of any public
vessel Of the United States, or of any vessel
owned by citizens of the United States, or sail
ing under their hag, any pers IN or persons, ex-
cept natural born citizens ofthe United States
or citizens of the United States at the time of
such treaty being made and concluded, or per-
sons who, being resident within the u. States
at the time ofsuch treaty, and having previous
ly declared agreoably to existing laws, their in
tention to become citizens OF the United States,
shall be admitted as such within five years
thereafter, in the manner prescribed by law
Sec. Q. dHabe &c further endcted, That from
and after the time rs sfoTcsaid, when this act
shall take effect, it shall not be lawful 10 en-
ploy as seamen or otherwise as aforesaid ex-
cept as is by this act excepted, any person or
persons not natural born citizens OF the United
States, unless such person or persons shall pro
ducc to the commander Of the public vessel, or
to the cshector OF the customs of the district
to which the private vessel belongs, the certi-
ticatc Of his or their having been naturalizcd
The President of the United States is hereby
authorised, from time to time to make such o.
Their regulations, and to give such other direc-
tons to the several commanders of public yes.
sells, and to the several collectors as nav be
proper and necessary respecting the requisite
proofs ot nativity or citizenship 20 be exhibit
ed to the commanders or collectors aforesaid.
And no person shall be admitted or employed
as seaman or otherwise, as aforesaid, on board
of any vessel owned by citizens of the United
States, or sailing under their flag, unless his
name shall have been entered i'm list Of the
crew approved and certified by Che collec; or
for the district TO which the vessel belongs.
Sec. g. Ind be IL further enacted, That from
and after the time as aforesaid, when this act
shall take effect, no seaman or other seafaring
man not being citizen Of the United States,
shall be admitted or received as a passenger on
board of any public vessel of the United = ates.
or of any private vessel owned by citizens Of
the United States, or sailing under their flag
without passportSrom The proper officers Of
the country Of which such scamen or scafarin-
man may be subject or citizen.
Sec. 4. Ind be if further eHacred, That from
and after the time aforesaid, when this act
shall take effect, the consuls or commercial A.
gents of any nation at peace with The United
States shall be admitted (under such REGULATE.
ons as may be prescribed by the President Of
the United States,) to state their objections To
the proper commander or collector As aforesaid,
against the employment Of auy seama W sea
faring man on board of any public or private
vessel of the United States. on account of his
being native sobject or citizen ofsuch nation.
and not embraced within tho description vt
persons who may thus be lawfully employed,
according to the provisions ofthis sct and the
said consuls or commercial agents sbal al .
be admitted under the said regulations to be
present At the time when The proD.5 OF the ma
tivity orctizenship oithe persons gainst whom
such objections may nave been made, shall be
investigated by such commander or collector.
Sec 5. and he itfaytier ensefed, That If any
commander of public vessel OF ,hc v. States,
shall employ or permit 60 be croploj med, or
shall admit or receive, Or permit to be admit
ted orrcceivcl on board his vessel, any person
whose employment OF admission is prohibited