The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-01-21
MONDAY, JANUARY 10.
~ NATE


Foreign Relations, TO whom the several pe
tlions on the subject of Piracies were re-
ferrcd, made Report which was ordered
10 BE- printed.
Accompanying the Report, Mr.. b. re
sorted the following Bill:
A Bill FOR The suppression OF Piracy 10
the West Indies.
BE II enacied, &c. That, for the more
elfrctual suppression ef pracirs in the Yves,
Indies, the President OF the United States,
BIZ, and he is hereby, authorized TO
Cause 20 be built, in addition 10 the
present naval force of the United States,
a number of Sioops Of War, not exceeding
] ten, to carry not less than twenty guns
each, Of such description and weight of
metal AZ the President may direct, and
| that the sum of - thousand dollars be,
aud the sa'ne is hereby, appropriated for
| the aforesaid purpose, out Of any money
! in the Treasury not otherwise appreplia
ted
Sec. 2. And be II further enacted, That
the Commanders and Crews of the armed
vessels of the United States shall be, and
they are hereby, authorized, under such
instructions AS may he given them by the
| President Of the United States, NTH IL sh
pursuit Of pirates on the Island Of Cuba, or
any other of the Islands Of Spas, in the
West Indies, To land, Wheneye, il may be
necessary to secure the capture of the said
pirates there 10 subdue, vanquish, and cap
tnre them, To deliver them upio the autho
rity Of the Island where captured, or tn
briag them To the Urited States for trial
and adludicaiiolr; as the said instructions
ofthe President of the United States May
prescribe.
Sc. , find be II further enGcfed, That,
II any of the said pirates should scape from
the fresh pursuit of the commanding Off :.
GERS snd crews of any armed vessel of the
United States, and find refuge in any of
the cities or ports Jfthe said Island of Gu
b., or other Island aforesaid the President
at the United States, Oh being informed of
the fact, in a manner satisfactory To him of
IFS authenticity, shall be, and he is hereby
authorized, at his discretion, tn declare the
said port ar city to he in n state of block
ade, ana shall cause the same To be- invest
ed BY the Naval force of the United States
TIL the said pirates shall have been secured
and punished Ivy the Authorities of thr
said Island, or until satisfaction shall other
w,sr have been made, whrreupon he shst
deem it us, and expcdicut to discontinue
the said blockade.
SEC. 4 Ind be IL .fiyihcr enacted, That
the commanders and crews uf any Armed
merchant vessel of the United States be,
aud they are hereby, authorized 10 recap
ture any vessel and Cargo taken by pirates
upon the coast of the island of Cuba, OF he
other Islands aforesaid, or on the adjoining
seas ; andsuch vessel SO re captured, being
brought into any jtnlici4 district Of the
United States kaiug admiralty jursdic
ton therein, to- the former owner or own
ers of~the same, he or they paying for
salvage NOT less than one eighth, nor more
than one half of tie true value of the said
vessel and cargo, AZ the discretion of III.
Court, for the benefit of the re -captors, and
IN such proportions as the Court shall
direct, which payments of salvage shall
be made wtho,it any deduction, whaisoe
yer.
Sec. 5. .7nd b. II further chr cted That,
whenever the commanders and crew uf
any merchant vessel of the United States
shall subdne and capture any pratical We.
| sci or heat from which any assault, or other
hostility, ahall be first made or attempted
! such piratica vessel or boat. with her tao
| kle, afpurtenanccs, ammunition, and lading
(eXerPtnS such part rs may have been pi
radically taken, which shall be restored
to ITS owners sulIec to salvage as afore
said,' shall accrne, the one fourth to the
vner or owners of such merchant vessel
OF the United States aud the other three
tourths 20 the captors, and, being brought
Into any rolt of the United States shall and
may Ire Judged and condemned to tn cir
use after due process and trial in any Cont
"t the United States having admiralty ia
r'sdictiUn, and which shall be holden
Tor the district into which such cap
fured vessels shalt be brought ind
the same Court shall thrreupun order IA
sale and distribution thereof accnrdineIy,
anu at their discretion, saving any agree
ncnt which shall he hetn cen the own.r or
owners and the commander aud crew of
such merchant vessel.
aec' 6. .fnd be ii further enacted, That.
alter notice Ul this act at The several Custom
Houses, no armed m".cnant vessel of the
United States onal receive clearance, or
perih'', % shall be suffered to depart there.
: i9d, unless the owner or owners, and mas
Ter or c0mmandrr, of such vessel for ih,
intended voyage, shall give bond, 10 the
use OF the United States, in sum equal 10
double the valtte of such vessel, with condi
ton That such vessel shall not M. Ike or com
mil any depreciation, outrage, unlawful as
sault, or onpro, okrd violence, upon IN.
| llBh seas against the vessel of any nation
IN amty with the United States and that
the guns, arms, and ammunition of such
vessel shall br returned within the United
states, ar otherwise accounted for. and
shall not be sold or disposed of in any
foreign port or place; aud that such owner
OF owners and the commander and crew of
she'' merchant vessel shall, in all things,
observe and perform such ns,,uctions in
me premises MS the President ofthe United
states shall establish and order for the bet
Ter government Of the armed merchant yes
sells "f the u. States.
Src 7, find be ii farther enacted That
the President Of the United States sj,,lI b..