Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-05-17
ANAACT

Rorognisi"gthc erisiencs of ,car 6ei,petn ne Uni
tea States and tho Confederate States ), an,
concerning letters9f nurque, prizes, snd pfis,
ooods.
"herens the earnest efforts nude by this Gov
ernment to establish friendly relations between
the Governu'-nt Of the Uai,ed States aud the
Confederate States, and to se.tle all questions OF
disagreement belwepM the two Gov ernments upor
rs;ncipes Of right. justice, equity and good faith
have proved unavailing, by reason of tho refusal
of the Government cf the United States 10 hold
any intercourse with the Commissioners appointed
oy th~ ~Government for tho purposes aforesaid, OF
to listen to any proposal they had to mako for
the peaceful solution Of all causes Of difficulty
between the two Governments; and whereas tho
PRESIDENT OF the United States Of America has
issued his proclamation making requisi,ion upon
the Stntcs Of the American Uuion for rs, 900
tne", for the purpose. Us hereia indicated, of
capturing forts und OTHER strougholds within the
Jurisdiction of aud belonging to the Confederate
State Of America, AMI has detailed naval arma-
meats upon the coast Of the Confederate States
of America, and raised. organized and equipped
large military force to execute the purpose
aforesaid, aud has issued his other Proclamation
announcing his purpose 10 set on foot block atle
OF the ports Of the Confederate States: aud
whereas the State of Virginia has seeded from
the Federal Union aud entered into convention
of alliance, offensive md defensive, with the
Confederate States, and has adopted the Provi-
sional Constitution. of the said States, aud the
STATES Of Maryland, North Carolina, Teuuessee.
Kentucky, Arkansas and Missouri have refused.
and it is believed that ihe State Of, Delaware.
and the iahsbitants Of the Territories of Arizona
and New Mexico, and the Iudian Territory. south
OF Kansns, will refuse 10 cooperate with the
Cove rnmeut Of the United States in tlese acts Of
heStilities aud wnntou aggression, which are
plainly Intended 20 overawe. oppress, and finally
subJugate the people OF the Confederate States +;
and whereas, by the acts and means Aforesaid,
war exists between tho Confederate States and
the Government of the United States, and the
States and Territories thereof. excep, tho States
of Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee. Ken
tucky. Arkansas, Missouri and Delaware. and The
Territories Of Arizona and New Mexico. and the
Indian Territory south of Kansas; therefore,
SEC. 1. Tie Congress Of the Confederate States
Of America do enact, That the Presiden, Of the
Confederate States ia heseby authorized to use
the whole land and naval force of the Confederate
States TO meet the war thus commenced, and to
issue to private armed vessels commissions or
letters OF n,nrqne and general reprisal in ,uch
forms MS he shall think proper, under the seal Of
the Confederate States, against the vessels goods,
and effects ofsthe government Of the United
States and of the citizens or inhabitapts Of the
States md Territories thereof, excepF the State.
and Territories herein before named; Provided
however. that property of the enemy (unless it
be contraband Of war; laden on board neutral
vessel shall not be subject TO seizure und this
act; And Provided further, that vessels of tl,e
Citizens or inhabilats Of tho United States now
the ports Of the Confederate States, except
such as have been since the 5th Of Aprilisst, or
may hereafter be in, the service of the Govern
susnt of the United States shall be allowed thirty
days after tho publication of this act to leave
said portsan reach their destination and such
Sesaels aud their cargoes, excepting articles cor
eraba"d Of war, shall not be subject to capture
under this act during said period, unless they
shall hare previously reached the destination fo
which they were bound ON leaving said ports.
sEc:2 That IlsS President Of the Confed, ra,t
States shallbe aud no Is hereby authorized and
empowered 10 revoke and aunuI. at pleasnre sl
letters Of ,n,arqne and reprisal which he may n
ANY tims grant pursuant to this;act.
sEc .. That all persons applying for letters
ofmarque and reprisal pursuant to this act, shall
.tatsin writing the nams. and suitable descrip.
.tion Of fhe tonnage and force or The vessel, and
tho namei and place oe residence of each owner
concesued hstsin. and The intended number OF
thscrew; which statement shalt be signed by the
person ot psrsons making such application. and
filed with the Secretary Of State. or shall Be de
livered tosany other officer or person WHO shall
be employed TO deliver out such commissions, TO
be by, him 5sransnittsd 70 the Secretary of
State.
$50. 4: That before anyaebmmission or letters
ofmatqge and r.prisai shall befssued as afore-
said. the owner or owners Il the ship or vessel
for whiSbstbe same shail be requested. and the
cousms1dsr thereof for the time being, shaIl give
bond TO the Gpnfederate States, with sIsleastt Two
Responsible snretes not interested In such vessels
10 :lhe penei sum Of. Ave tbsusand dollars Or Il
spch sessslit provided With more 1ban ono ham
dred -andif gtysmsn, then tie penal ssir, oc te,
ttousand doIisrs with con dition that the ownsrn
of6crtsl md Gregg. whoish.ll be employed on
nuaa scosa amissfeasd sBssse,. sbsh and viii
essetss aE ihs eeSIss dsrsfs States. sad
thetassrasts IS sivsathsn, aeessd.
,iaEte 3sss tor shs legilaiiop sf their soadus. ;
and aiit ss.ists tsal . 5ssd ibjSafiss uiilsh
shall lbe done or commit Sonssts te Gtstese.