The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-03-23
b Y 4 L Z II 0 r I T Y
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES
Passed during the Second Session Of
the THirtysecond Congress.
fPuDL,c Acr-No. 27.]

AN ACT TO prevent frauds upon the treasury
of the United States.
Dc it enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives of the United States of A.
merica in Congress assembled, That all trans
iers and assignments hereafter made of any
claim upon the United States, or any part or
share thereof, or interest therein, whatever
absolute or conditional, and whatever may be
the consideration therefor; and all powers Of
attorney, orders, or other authorities, for re-
cevug payment of any such claim, or any
part or share thereof, shall be absolutely null
and void unless the same shall be freely
made and executed in the presence ofat least
two attesting witnesses, after the allowance
of such claim, the asccrtainment of the A.
mount due, and the issuing Of warrant for
payment thereof.
Sec. . And be it further enacted, That
any officer of the United States, or person
holding any place of trust or profit Or dis
charging any official function under or in con-
nexon with any executive department of the
Government of the United States, or under
the Senate or House of Representatives Of
the United States, who after the passage Of
this act rs an agent or attorney for prosecut-
ing any claim against the United States, or
shall in any manner, or by any means other
wise than in the discharge of his proper off,
cial duties, aid or aSsis; in the prosecution or
supper; of any such claim or claims, or shall
receive any gratuity, or any share Of or inter-
est in any claim from claimant against the H.
nited States, with intent to aid or assist, or in
| prosecution of such claim, shall be liable to
indictment rs for n misdemcanOr in any court
of the United States having jurisdiction there
Of, and, on conviction, shall pay fine not cS
cccding five thousand dollars, or suffer i'm
prisonment in the penitentary not exceeding
/ one year, or both, rs the court in its dscrc-
tion shall adjudge.
Sec 3. And be it further enacted, That
any Senator or Representative in Congress
who, aiier the passage of this act, SHALL for
compensation paid or TO be paid, certain or
contingent, act as agent or attorney for prose
cutting any claim or claims against the United
States, or shall in any manner or by any
means, for such compensation, aid or assist
in the prosecution or support of any such any
share OF or interest in any clam, from any
claimant against the United States, with in.
/ tent to aid or assist, or in consideration Of
having aided or assisted, in the prosecution
of said claim shall he liable 10 indictment as
for a misdemeanor to any court OF the United
States having jurisdiction thereof and, on
conviction, shall pay fine not exceeding hve
thousand dollars, or suffer Imprisonment in
the pcnitentiary not exceeding one year,
or both, as the court in its discretion shall
adjudge.
See l. And be it further enacted, That
any person who shall wifully and knowingly
destroy, or attempt to distroy, or with IN
tent to steal or destroy, shall take and carry
away any record, paper, or proceeding Of
court of justice, filed or deposited with any
clerk or officer of such court, or any paper or
document or record filed or deposited in any
public office, or with any judicial or public Of
ficer shall, without reference to the value OF
7
so taken, be deemed guilty of felony, and, on
conviction in any court of the United States
having jurisdiction thereof, shall pay ine
not exceeding two thousand dollars, or suffer-
Imprisonment in penitentiary not exceeding
three ycaiS or both, as the court 10 its dis
crction shall adjudge.
Sec 8. And be il further enacted. That
any officer having the custody OF any record,
document, paper, or prescribing specified in
the last preceding section Of tbs act, Who
shall fraudrlently take away, OF withdraw, or
destroy any such record, document, paper or
proceeding filed in his Office OF deposited with
him, or in his custody, shall be deemed guilty
Of felony in any court of the United States
having jurisdiction thereof, and, on conyic-
tion, shall pay tine not exceeding two thous-
and dollars, or suffer imprisonment in pen
itentary not exceed three years, or both, rs
the court in its discretion shall adjudge, and
shall forfeit his office, and be forever after
wards disqualified from holding any office un-
der the Government of the United States.
Sec 8. And be il further enacted, That
il any person or persons, shall dlrceny or in-
directly, promise, offer, or give, or eaAse or
procure TO be promised, offered or given, any
money, goods, right in action, brihc, present,
or rcward,o any promise, contract, undertak-
ing, obligation or security for the payment OF
delivery Of any money; goods, right in ac-
/ lion, bribe, present, or reward, or any other
valuable thing whatever, 10 any member of
che Senate or House or House Of Representa-
tiveS OF the United States after his election rs
such member and either before Or sftr o
shall have qualified and taken his seat. or ,o
any officer of the United States, CT person
holding any place Of trust and profit, or dis
changing any Official function under or in con-
nexion with, any department of the Emitted
States, or under the Senate or House ef RcI-
resenlaiivcs of the United States. after q a
passage of this act, with the intent to iu3u-
cpce his vote or decision on any question,
matter, cause. or proceeding, Which may then
he pending, or may by law, or under the Cen
.tifuticn uilhs United Slaics, ls lIuLhf b. .
fore hm IN his oiiicih call,ii-, cr m hs