The Van Buren press., 1861-10-09
seouessraiion Act

sequestxafion Act
The Cosfedssacy availing itself Of the
only legitimate means Of retaliating certain
injuries perpetrated in the semblance d
laws by the Lincoln despotism. has seen Fl
to enact law bearing the above title. A.
our citizens. many of them, are to great
er or less extent. interested in the operation
Of this law. we think it is not ill-timed o,
out of place to call attention to some Of it.
provisions. We are informed by the title
of the act. that it is passed for the :. Sc.
questration of the estates, property ard ef.
fects of alien enemies. and for the iniem-
nifty of citizens of the Confederate States,
and persons aiding the same in the existing
war with the United States
This act became . law on the S0th Of
Aug.. 1851. bot is made applicable to ali
property. real, personal or mixed, in the
possession or under the control of any citi-
zen Of this Confeieracy. belonging to an
alien enemy. on or since the 2lst day oi
May last. The ID Sec. is one that should
be especially known to all. 1t provides:
THAT it is and shall be the duty of each
and every citizen of these Confederate
States. speedily to give information to the
officers charged with the execution of this
law. of any and every lands, teuemeuts and
heredetiments. goods and chatties, rights
and credits within this Confederacy. and OF
every right and interest therein held, own
ed. possessed or enjoyed by or for any alien
enemy as aforesaid
The act also provides for the appoint
mcnt of . Receiver for each District, whose
duty it shall be to receive money or prop
|erty, assume control of land and tenemcnts,
adjust accounts and pay into Court all
money realized by sales or otherwise. there
10 remain subject to the order of the Treas
urer Of the Confederacy. The Sd section
provides, that attorneys, agents, former
partners, trustees or other persons holding
or controlling any such property. as allud-
ed to in I'd Sec. speedily to inform the Re-
ceivcr of it, render an account and as far as
is practicable place the same in his hands.
The second clause in this section, declares
the person neglecting to comply with this
provision, guilty Of a high misdemeanor-
the penalty OF fine not exceeding two thou
sand dollars. and imprisonment not longer
than six months-and shall further be liza
bic to be proceeded against by the govern
ment in civil action and be subjected to
the payment of double the value of the es-
tate or effects of the alien enemy held by
him or subject to his control. Sec. Sth pro-
viGes for the issuance of writs of garnish-
ment. at the instance of the Receiver, d.
rected to one or more persons, commanding
them to appear and answer as to what et-
fects they may have in their hands, or under
their control belonging to alien enemies
which answer may be denied anu the trnl,,
tested. by the Receiver fling statement to
the effect that he believes the an,we, un,,ae
as to certain points. stating them-aiso.
provides for the Imprisonment Of a ra,,y
failing or refusing to answer when the Cour,
shall deem the answer Of importance 10 ,nc
cause. Sec. 18th provides for the pensity
to be inflicted ON the Receiver upon failure
to pay over, and also for embezzlement-
for the latter offense Imprisonment not less
than six months, nor more than Ave years
fined in double the amount embezzl.d.
Sec. l4th provides for the appointment
by the President of the three Commission
ers, to hold sessions at the Confederate
Capital for the adjustment of accounts be-
tween the citizens of this Confederacy and
the United States there functions are to
cease as soon as the Court OF Claims, pro-
vided for by the Constitution, shall be Or
ganized.
Sec. 10. That the Courts are vested
with jurisdiction and required by this act,
to settle all partnerships heretofore existing
between a citizen and one who is an alien
enemy to separate the interest of the alien
enemy and sequestrate it. And shall also
sever all joint rights where an alien enemy
is concerned and sequestrate the interest oI
such alien enemy"
Sec. 2lst. is one which has given rise to
some difference of opinion among us. Some
contend that Confederate Notes are receiva-
bic in payment of Indebtedness to mer-
chants in the United States. The wording
is as follows:
"That Treasury Notes of this Confeder-
scy shall be receivable in payment of all
purchases of property or sdects sold under
this act.''
The manifest intention there is, that thost
notes shall be considered legal tender when
offered by purchasers in payment for any
property sold under the provisions of the
preceding sections cf the act. But as thi.
Confederacy scrip has never been declared
legal tender in payment of debts generally
Of course there would be no obligation rest
ing upon the Rsceiver to sreceive them in
payment of Indebtedness between citizens
and alien enemies-should he choose to dc
so, however, we do not doubt but that his
acts would be sustained by the authorities
at Richmond. Sec. 22d, provides that the
lien of any creditor, citizen of the Confed.
eracy shall not be impaired by the proceed.
ings under this act j, that the same shall b
propounded and filed il Court. within
twelve months from the institution OF pro
ceedings-if not done within this time the
lien is lost. These are the important ana