The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-08-16
An 1mpor.an. Act of Congress.

The following bill coniiscating the proper
ty of rebels, not excepting "human chat
tells" has passed both Houses Of Congress.
1t is just, necessary and righteous act, one
which every true Union man must heartily
approve. II is after all but q mild punish
ment Of men who have taken up arms against
our glorious Old Constitution and Union
arms against the very laws which have pro-
tected the lives and property OF all its citi.
zcns. The proper punishment Of treason is
death--sucb is the law.
But this act will 50 great ways towards
the suppression of the rebellion. The 4th
Section is specially important, necessary and
just. II aboiishes sidpery so far rs rebel slayo
owners are concerned. Every rebel should
bc stripped Of all his worldly goods of every
kind which arc used to aid rebellion, and
then have his choice to be forever banshed
from tho country or hansed.-Bangor JJ:
tersonian.
An ACT to confscatc Property used for insur-
rectionary purposes.
De II enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives Of the United States Of Amerl-
ca In Congress assembled. That 10, during th ,
present or any future instruction against the
government ofthe United States, after the Pres
ident Of the Unitel States shall have declared
by proclamation that the laws Of the United
States are opposed, and the execution thereof
obstructed by combinations too powerful to be
suppressed by the ordinary course Of judicial
proceedings. or by the power vested in the mar
shals by law, any person or persons, his heir
or their agent, attorneyOr employee. shall pur-
chase or acquire. sell or give, any property Of
whatever kind or description, with intent TO use
or employ the same. or suffer the same to be used
or employed In aiding or sbbetting or promot-
ing such insurrection or resistance TO the laws,
to any person engaged therein or II any per-
son or persons. being the owner or owners Of
any such property, shall knowingly use or en-
ploy, or consent to the use or employment OF
the same as aforesaid, al such property Is here
by declared to be lawful and subject Of priIe
and capture, wherever found and II shall be
the duty Of the President Of the United States
to cause the same to be seized, conhscatod and
condemned.
SEC. 2. And be Il further enacted. That such
prizes and capture shall be condemned In the
district or Circuit Court Of the United States
having jurisdiction Of the amount, or In admir-.
ality In any district In which the same may be
seiIed, or into which they may be taken and
proceedings instituted.
SEc. ,. And be Il further enacted. That the
Attorney General, or any district attorney Of
the United States in which said property may
at that time be. may institute the proceedings
OF condemnation, and in such case they shall
be wholly for the benefit Of the United States
or any person may file m information with such |
attorney, In which case the proceedings shall
be for the use OF such informer and the United
States in equal parts.
spc.4. And be IL further enacted, That when
ever any person claiming to be entitled TO the
services or labor OF any person under the law
Of any State. shall employ such person In aid
ing or promoting any insurrec,ion. or in resist
ing the laws Of the Unitei States, or shall per.
nit him to be 50 employed. he shall forfeit all
right to such labor. and the person whose labor
is thus claimed shall be hencetorth discharged
,hersfrom. any law to the contrary notvi.h-
standing.