Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-05-17
WAR DECLARED
THE ACT OF CONGRESS IN FULL

secret session. The injunction Of secresy
has been removed tIerefrom
An act recognizing the existence of
War between the United States, and
the Confederate States, and concern
ing Letters Of Marque, prizes, and
pllze goods
|Vhfrets, the earnest efforts made by this
Government to establish friendly relations
between the Government of the Uniied
States, and the Confederate States, and to
settle all gu stions of disagreement be-
tween the two Governments upon princi-
Piles Of right, justice, equity and goud faith,
have proved unavailing, by reason Of the re-
fusal Of the Government of theU States to
hold any intercourse with the Commissions
ers appointed by this Government for the
purposes aforesaid, or to listen to any pre-
posal they had to make for the peaceful So
luton of all causes of difficulties between
the two Governments and, whereas. the
President CT the United States of America
has issued his Proclamation, making requl-
siton upon the States of the American
Union for IS, 600 men, for the purpose, as
therein indicased. of capturing forts and
other S'rongholds within the jurisdiction Of.
and belonging to, the Confederate States OF
America, and has detailed naval ornaments
upon the coasts Of the Confederate States
Of America, aud raised. organized and e.
quipped large military force to execute
the purpose aforesaid, aud has issued his
other Proclamation, announcing his pur-
pose to set on foot blockade Of the ports
of the Confederate States and whereas, the
State of Virginia has seeded from the Fed
eral Union and entered into a convention
Of alliance, offensive and defensive, with
the Confederate States, and has adopted the
Pro ysicnal Constitution Of the said States,
ard the States Of Maryland, North Carroll
nj. Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, and
Missouri, have refused, aud it is believed
that the State of Delaware and the inhaoit-
suts of ARIZONA and New Mexico, and the
Indian Territory south of Kansas, viii re-
fuse to GO operate with the Government OF
the United States III these acts Of hostillties
and wanton aggression, which are plainly
intended to oyerawe, Cypress, and finally
subjugate the people OF the Confederate
States; aud uhereos, by the acts and means
afor. said war exists between the Confede
rate States and the Government Of the Uni
ted States, and the States and Territories
thereof, except the States of Maryland, N.
Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas,
Missouri, and Delaware, and the Terrific
tories of Arizona and New Mexico. and the
Indian Territory south Of Kansas there
fore,
SECTION | The Congress Of the Confed
crate States of America do enact, That the
President Of the Confederate States is here=
by authorized to use the whole land and na
val force of the Confederate States to meet
the war thus commenced, ana to issue to
private armed vessels commissions, or let
ters Of marqne aud general reprisal, in such
forms as he shall think proper, under the
seal Of the Confederate States, against the
vessels, goods and effects Of the Govern
ment of the United States, and of the citi-
zens or inhabitants of the States and Terri
tories thereof, except the States and Terri
tories herciubefore named Prooit}ed. how
ever, that property of the enemy (uness 1t
be contrabahd Of wary laden on board a
neutral vessel, shall not be subject to seiz
ure under this Act /; and propided FURTHER,
that vessels of the citizens or Inhabitants Of
the United States now in the ports of the
Confederate States, except such as have
been since the 5h OF April last, or may
hereafter be, ia the service of the q. States
shall be allowed thirty days after the pub
LEGATION Of this Set to leave said ports aud
reach their destination and such vessels
and their cargoes. excepting articles couira-
band of war, shall not be subject to capture
under This Act, during said peri I'd, unless
they shall have previously reached the des-
tioation for which they were bound on leay
ing said ports
SEC. 2 That the President of the Con
federate Statea shah be, and he is hereby
authorized and empowered to revoke and
annul, at pleasure, all letters of marque
and reprisisl which he may at any time grant
pursuant to this Act.
Sc That all persons applying for let
ters Of marqne and reprisal, pursuant to
this Act. shall state in writing the name.
and suitable description of the tonnage
and force of the vessel and the name and
place Of residence of each owner concerned
therein. and the intended number of the
crew; which statement shall be signed by
the person or persons making such applica
ton, and fled with tie Secretary Of State
or shall be delivered TO any other officer or
person who shall be employed to deliver out
such commissions, 10 be by him transmit
ted to the Secretary of State.
SEC That before any commission or
letters of marque and reprisal shall be is
sued as aforesaid, the owner or owners Of
The ship or vessel for which the same shall
be requested, and the commander thereof
for the time being, shall give bond to the
Confederate States, with at least two res
ponsible sureties. not interested 10 such
vessel, III tie penal sum of five thousand
dollars; or if such vessel be provided with
more than one hundred and fifty men, then
in the penal sum Of ten thousand dollars !:
with condition tfat the owners, officers and
crew. who shall be employed on board such
commissioned yes Of, shall and will observe
the laws of the Confederate States, and the
instructions which shall be given them ac
cording to law, for the regulation Of their
conduct and will satisfy all damages and
injuries which shall be done or committed
contrary to the tenor thereof, BY such v. S.
sci during her conn. ission, and to deliver
up the same when revoked by the Hresi-
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