State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-06-21
THE TWO GAG LAWS.

Last week we published the Infamous
Gag Bill which passed 10 he engrossed by
the casting vote of our Democratic Vice
President. We now present to our readers
the celebrated Sedition Law of 9S. We
ask every man to compare and Judge for
himself:
IN Act, IN addition TO an act entitled AN act
for the punishment o. certdin crimes against
the United States
Sec. |. BE Il enacted by the Senate and
House Of Representatives. ofthe United Safes
! Of .4mericd, IN Congress assembled, That if
any persons shall unlawfullv combine or
conspre together, with intent to oppose
any measure or measures of the govern
ment of the United States which are or
shall be directed by proper authority, or to
impede the operations of any law of the
! United States, or to intInidate or prevent
any person holding place or office in or
under the Government of the United States
| from undertaking, performing or executing
his trust or duty, and if any person or per-
sons, with intent as aforesaid, shall counsel
advise or attempt to procure any nsurrec-
ton, riot, unlawful assembly, or combina
ton, whether such conspiracy, threaten.
ing, counsel, advice, OF attempt, shall have
the proposed effect or not, he or they shall
be deemed guilty of high misdemeanor
and on conviction before any court Of the
United States having jurisdiction thereof
shall be punished by fine not exceeding
five thousand dollars, and by Imprisonment,
during term not less than six months MOI
exceeding five years; and further, at the
discretion of the court, may be holden to
find sureties for his good behavior in such
sum, and tor such time, as the said court
may direct.
Sec. 2. find be It further enacted, That il
any person, shall write, print, utter, OF
publish, or shall cause or procure to be
written, printed, uttered or published, or
shall knowingly and Willingly assist or aid
in writing, printing, uttering or publishing
any false, scandalous or malicious writing
or writings against the government of the
United States, or either house of the Con.
gress of the United States, or the President
of the United States, with intent to defame
the said government or either House of the
said Congress, or the said President, or &c
bring them or either of them, into contempt
or dsrepute; or to excite against them, ol
either or any of them, the hatred of the
good people of the United States, or to still
up sediton within the United States; or tC
excite any unlawful combinations therein
for opposing or resisting any law of thu
United States, or any act of the Presiden
OF the United States, done in pursuance o
any such law, or ofthe powers in him vest
ed by the constitution of the United States
or to resist, oppose, or defeat any such Law
or act; or to aid encourage or abet any
hostile designs of any foreign nation a
ganst the United States, their people o.
government, then such person, being there
of convicted before any court of the Unltet
States having jurisdiction thereof, shall b,
punished by fine not exceeding two thou
sand dollars, and by Imprisonment not ex
ceeding two years.
Sec. 3 Ind be ii further enacted land de
clared, That if any person shall be prosecu
ted under this act, for writing or publish
ing any libel aforesaid, it shall be lawful 70
the defendant, upon the trial of the cause
to give in evidence in his defence, the tru;l
of matter contained in the publication char
ged as libel. And the Jury who shall IT.
the cause, shall have u right to determln
:. the law and the fact under the direction o
the Court, as in other cases.
Sec. A. find be II further enacted, Thn
, this act shall continue and be in force unit
the third day of March, one thousand eigh
hundred and one, and no longer; Prorided
That the expiration Of the act shall no
, prevent or defeat prosecution and pun
, ishment for any offence against the law
during the time it shall be in force.
JONATHAN DRAYTON,
Speaker ofthe House Of Representatives
THEODORE SEDGWlCk,
I President Of The Senate, pro tempor'
APPROVED July Ia, 1898.
JOHN ADAMS,
President Of the Nniied Sinifs