Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-08
NORTHERN Sc! lures UNDER TEE CoYFIscATION

The secret7ry Of State Of tho United States VIM. H.
Seward, las issued TIC following:
SIR In o.der to prevent seizure OF property belong
Ing citizens Of irsurrec ionary Saes not warranted
by the Of Congress, resti0g 70 this subject, It is
tluu ght adviabe 20 dir CO. the seca' attention OF Mar
shs' and District Atorneys OF the United States to the
provisions of these ac.s.
TIE n section OF the act OF July lS provides that all
goods and chstes and merchandise coming from
proceeding 10 State place declared TO he in in
surrCcton together with the vessel vehicle conveying
the same conveying persons 20 from such State
place. slall be ioff,d to the Uoited States This
ton obviously applies to all property in transit pur
Chas d. provided with view transit between loyal
aud dl,loyal States and especially to property forming
the subj of commercial in ercourse. Such property
found labl 10 seizure and the ory redress
Of parties who think themselves aggreved il by appeal
TO the Secretary of the Treasury, who is invested by
Law with full poser Of mitigation and remission.
The first section Of act approved August 9Th, de-
esres that il any pcrson or persons he, her. their
0gen, attorney or employees, shall purchase or acquire
sell or give a0y property, of whatever kind or descrp
tiol with intent to employ the same sufr the
same TO be used employed in aiding abetting,
promoting such nsnrrec ion any person or persons
engaged neren, or il any person persons being the
Of any zueh property shall knowingly use or en-.
ploy, or suffer the employment of tie same as
aforesaid all such property Is hereby declared to be tie
hWfol subject Of priz5 and capture wherever found
No d0uJt be entertained that this section well
considered and that ls operation intended be lin
led property used Ia urtherance of the insurrec
ton only. Seizures under the act Of July 18th should
ba made by the oi3eTs ulder the direction of the
officers Of toe Treasury Department and all District At.
torneys aud NlTshals of the u States hIud sJrd all
practicable counsel and aid in the execution Of the law
Sizue5 under the act Of August g. should be made BIZ
the marshal OF the Dsc, in which such properly may
he found under the general particular direction of the
District Attorney, or other sup ,rior authority.
For such sizusCs there is slch nOn-povsr of mitga.
ton remission in the Secretary Of the Treasury; but
the District Attorney the other superior authority may
direct the d clntnulnce Of any proceeding in relation
thereto, and tho restoration OF the property seized.
Il will be seon, iiom inspect Cr these provisions
OF the act of Congress- that property Is confscated
subj 'ced TO forfeiture except such IA in Transit or
proyiaed for transit 10 from rsGrTectonary States
used for the promotion Of the instruction Real estate
bonds, p-omisoy notes moneys deposit end the like,
arc, therefore, not subject to seizure coDfscaon in
the absence Of evidence OF such Unlawful use.
AL officers, while viglaut in the presentation OF tie
coaveya OF properly TO from insurrconary States,
the Of t for nsureUtiOnsry purposes expect
ed to be careful in avoiding unnecessary yGxaiion and
cost by seizures not warranted by law.
(sgaeD Wa. II. SEWARD,
Sec vtGry Of Sa:e.
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