Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-03-08
AN ACT


For the protection of the commerce of the
United States against the Algerine cruz
zers-
WHEREAS, the Dey of Algiers on the
Coast of Barbary has commenced a preda
tory warfare against the United States
Be IL enacted 6y the Senate and House OF
Rcftresentafiues Of the Umtcd States of Il :.
nnerfca IN Congress assembled, That il Shall
be lawful fully to equip, oficer, man and
e nploy such ofthe armed vessels of the u
States as may be judged requisite by the
President of the United States for protec-
ting effectually the commerce and seamen
thereof on the Atlantic Ocean, the Medi
terranean and adjoining seas
Sec 2. dnd belt further enacted, That
II shall be lawful for The President of he u
States to instruct the commanders of the
respective public vessels aforesaid, to sub
due, seize, and make prize of all vessels,
Goods and effects OF or belonging to the
Dey OF Algiers, or to his subjects, and to
bring or send the same into port, tn be pro.
coded against and distributed according to
law and, also, to cause to be done all such
| other acts of oeecaut,on or hostility, as the
state of war will justify, and may in his o.
pinion require.
Sec 3. ind be h further enacted, That
on the application of the owners of private
armed vessels of the United States, the
Presi3cnt of the United States may grant
| them special commissions in the fora, which
he shall direct under the seal of the vi
| ted Stntes and such private armed YES
sells, when S commss o1ed, Shall have the
like oath iritY for suo.luing, seiziug, taking
and bringing into port any hlgeriRe vessel.
goods CT effects, as the aforementioned
DuDiic armed roau hv 10 how,
shall therein be subject to the instructions
which may be given by the President Of the
United States for the regulation os their
Conduct: ard their commissions snail be
rcvocable at his pleasure Propiied, Tha,
before aay commission shall be granted as
aforesaid, the owner or owners of the yes
| SCI tor which the same may be requested, &
the commander thereof for the time being
shall give bond to the United Safes with
at least two responsible sureiies. not inser
ested in such vessels, in the penal sum of
seven thousand dollars, or if such vessel be
pt divided with more than one hundred and
| htty men, In The penal sum Of fourteen thou
sand dollars, with condition for observing
| the treaues and laws of the United States,
and the Instructions which may be given as
aforesaid, ard also for satisfying all DANA
ges and injuries which shall be done Contra
- W t'iS tSu U 'uSfepi, ny SUCH COMMISSIONS
| ed vessel, and for delivering up the COMMITS
sion when revoked by the President of the
| United Sta es
Sec 4. ind be IL further enacted, That
any Algerine vessel, goods or effects which
may be so captured and brought into port.
by any private armed vessel Of the United
States, Only commissioned as aforesaid, NAV
be adjudged good prize, and thereupon
hall accrue 70 tae oaners, and officers, and
! meh OF he capturing vessel, and shall be
distributed according to the agreement
which sh all have been made between tn EN-,
or, in failure of such agreement according
to the discretion of the court having cogni
zance of the capture.