Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-03-05
B Y A u T HORITY
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES

Congress
lPUBLIC ACT-No 26l
AN ACf to prevent frauds upon the treasury of tho
United States.
BE enacted by the Senate and House Of Representa-
ares q the Uhed States OF Asaerica CONGRESS asse-
bled That all transfers and gnments hereafter made
OF any claim upon the United States any part or share
thereof interest therein whether absolute or co ndi
tona ami whatever may be the consideration Therefore
and al powers OF attorney orders. other authorities
Tor receiving payment of any such CAIN any part or
share thereof shall be absolutely null and void unless the
shall be freely made and executed in the presence
OF at least two aestng witnesses after the allowance of
such claim, the ertainmen OF the due and
the Issuing OF a warrant for the payment thereof.
SEC p And6e further enatccd, That any officer of the
u States or person holding any place of profor
dischare inSany Official junction underor in connection
with any executive department othe Government the
United States or un fer the Senate House of Repre-
sentatves OF the United st tes who after the passage
OF this act shall act attorney far
ting any claim against te United States. shall in any
manner orr by any means otherwise than in the discharge
of his proper official duties aid or assist in the Dro ecu
ton or support OF any such claim Claims or shall re-
ceve gratuy any share Of or interest in any claim
from any claimant against the United States, with
tent to aid or assist in consideration of having aided
or assisted IN the prosecution OF such claim, shall be
liable to Indictment for msdemeanor in any court OF
the United States having jurisdiction thereof and on
conviction shall pay fine not exceeding five thousand
dollars or suffer Imprisonment in the penitentary not
exceeding one year. both, the court in its discretion
shall adjudge.
SEc. 3. Andbe further enacted That any Senator or
Representative in Congress who after the passage of
this act SHALL for compensa ion paid be paid GER
ting any claim or claims against the United States or
shall in any manner by any MEANS for
ton aid CT assist in the prosecution support of any
SUCH claim or claims, shall receive any gratRy or any
share OF or interest in any claim from any claimant
against the United States with intent aid assist or
IN consideration of having aided assisted in the prose-
cution OF said claim, shall be liable Indictment a. for
msdemean in court of the United States ha wing i'll,
risdicon thereof nd, on conviction shall nav fine NOT
exceeding five thousand dollars suffer i'm prsonment
in the penitenary not exceeding year, or both as
the court in its discretion shall dudge.
SEC. A. And be 1t further enacted That any person
who shall wully and knowing DESTROY or ATTEMPT
to destroy or with intent to steal Destroy shall take
and carry away any record, paper. proceeding of
court OF justice filed deposited with any clerk or officer
OF such court, or any paper document record filed
or deposited III any public Office with any judicial or
public officer SHALL without reference to the value of the
record, paper, document, or proceeding taken,
deemed su ty Of felony and conviction in any court
of the United States having jurisdiction thereof pay
line not exceeding Two thousand dollars, suffer ini.
prsonment IN penitentiary not exceeding three years.
or BOTH as the court in its discretion shall adjudge
SEC. o. And 6elfMrtter enacted That any officer hay
ing the custody OF any record document paper or pro.
ceedng specified III the last proceeding section of tn
who stall frauduenty take away, or withdraw or des-
troy any such record, document, paper or preceding
filed in his Office or deposited with him. or in his cuso
dy shall be deemed guilty OF felony in any court of the
United States having jurisdiction thereof, and con
ylctlon, shall pay fine not exceeding two thousand
dollars or suffer imprisonment in penitentary
ceedng TIN years. BOTH the court in it's screton
shall adjudge aud shall forfeit his Office, and be forever
afterwards disqualified from holding any office under the
Government of the United Sta es
SEC 6 And be further eAacted, That if any person
or persons shall directly indirectly, promise offer or
glve or cause OF procure to be promised offered Civ
en- any money goods right in action, BRIDE present or
reward or any promise contract undertaking. obligation
or ecurty TOR the payment or delivery Of any money!
goods, right IN action bribe, present. reward or any
other valuable thing whatever to any member of the
Senate or House ofRepresent ves the United States
alter his election such member and either befoe or
after he shall have qualified and taken his seat or to any
officer OF the United States person holding any place
of trust profit discharging any official function un
q ha CIV
eminent OF the United States under the Senate or
House of Representatives the States after the passage
o this act with int to influence his or decision
uhy que h'1hattef cause or proceeding, which may
then De pending may by law, underline Constitution
OF the United >tates be brought before him in his official
opacity or his place of trust profit and shall DO
thereof convicted such person persons Offering pro-
missing, or giving Or causing procuring be pro
missed, offered given any such money goods RIGHT in
action, blbe, present reward or any PROMISE con-
tract undertaking. obligation security for the payment
or delivery OF any money goods right in action bride,
the member officer, person. who stall in anywise ac
cept or receive the same or any part thereof shall be
haoe 10 Indictment as Tor high crime and msdemeanr
or IN any court OF the United States having jurisdiction
for the trial of crimes and msdemeanors and shall upon
conviction thereof be nednot exceeding three times the
amount so offered promised, given aud imprisoned in
penentiay net exceeding three years; and the per.
son convicted OF so accepting receiving the same or
aey part thereof, if an officer person holding
any such place OF trust profit aforesaid shall Tor
tet his office orpace; and any convicted under
this section shall forever be disqualified hold any Office
OF honor trust or profit under the United States.
OF this act and of the act of July eighteen
hundred and forty six entitled IAN in relation 10 the
payment OF claims, shall apply and extend to all claims
against the United States, whether allowed bv special
acts OF Congress- or arising under treaties
or IN any other manner whatever
SEC 8. AMI be further enacted That nothing in the
second and third sections of this contained shall be
to apply to the prosecution defence any
action suit in any judicial court of the United States
Approved February &c. 1858.
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