Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-23
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
washington, Septemb Der 2I 1861 (
srR In order to prevent the seizure OF prone,tv
oeioogDg to citizens Of insurrectionary States moi
warranted oy the acts Of Congress relating 10 tbai
soo1sc,, ~ is thought advisable to direct the
special attention Of marsaals and district attorneys
OF tne nited states to the provisions of these ,cts
The mn section Of the act Of July IA provides
,nat all goods and chattels, wares and mercban.
declared TO be In Instruction, together win the
vessel or venicle carrying the same, or CONVEYING
Persons to or from such State or place. shall he
forfeited 20 the United States
This section obviously applies TO all prone,tv 4,
transit or purchased, or provided with a view IN
uansit, between loyal and disloyal States and
9PeSisny to property forming the subject OF com.
found, Is liable to seizure, and the only redress
on parties who think themselves aggrIeyed h by
appeal to the Secretary Of the Treasury who alone
and remission
The first section Of the act approved Angus,
OH, declares that II any person or persons. his.
ner tnelr agents, attorneys, or employees shall
purchase or acquire, sell or give any property of
Whatsoever Kind or description, with intent 10
use or employ the same, or suffer the same To he
osed or employed IN aiding or abetting or pro-
.nO. suca insurrection, or any person or per-
sons engsged therein; or il any person or persons
oeing tne owners OF any such property shall
Knowingly use or employ, or suffer the use or en-
pIoymsnf Of the same as aforestated, all such
property Is hereby declared to be lawfully sub.
1ect OF prize and capture wherever found
NO doubt can be entertained that this section
was well considered, and that its operation was
Intended TO be limited to property used In further
ance OF insurrection only
seizures under the act Of July 18Th should be
msoe oy the orcers, or under the direction of the
omcen OF the Treasury Department. and all Dis.
uiet Attorneys and Marshals Of the United States
should snord all practicable counsel and aid In
the execution Of the law 49, -
Seizures under the act Of August 6 should he
made oY the marshal Of the district In w bic suc
property may be found, under the general or par.
uculsr direction OF the district attorney or other
superior authority.
For such seizures there is no power of mitIo,
non or remission In the Secretary Of the Treasury.
but The district attorney, other superior autbo,
iy, may direct the Isconti nuance OF anv nroceed
log In relation thereto and the restoration of the
property seized. - VIC
u Will be seen from an inspection of these nro
visions OF the acts Of Congress that no propertv "a
commented or subjected 70 forfeiture except snc
es 10 In trenstt or provided for transit to or from
Insnuecuonary states, or used for the promoting
Of the ipsurrection
keal estate, bonds, promisory notes. money on
osposI, ana toe Ike, are not therefore subject To
Eture or conhscation In the absence of evidence
Of such unlawful use.
All Officers while viptIant In the n,sv.,,,o, =,
tne conveyance Of property to or from Insured
uoArY saies, or the use Of II for insurrectlonary
purposes, are expected 10 be careful In svodin1
unnecessary vtxation and costs by seizures moi
"affahteo oY law. WILLIAM II SEWARD.
... co. Secretary Of State.