The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-08-07

The important and timely bill for the confsca-
ton Of property employed for REASONABLE pur-
poses, has passed both houses of Congress. This
billwas originally presented by Senator Chandler,
Of this State, though made in some respects
more sweeping in its provisions than his bill was
reported to have been
The effect of this measure will be excellent in
lettering thousands from entering the rebel ser.
vice, who might otherwise be induced TO DO so.
Already large slave holder of Missouri has dis
banded a regiment which he had organized,
choosing to settle down as a peaceable citizen,
rather than risk the loss OF his slaves aud prop
erty.
The justice OF the measure must be acknowl
edged by all. 1t is right that the men who have
robbed the government and inflicted upon the
nation the fearful cost of this fratrcidal war
should be compelled to pay, in part at least, the
enormous expense which must be incurred. Ii
will teach them that treason ia an expensive lux
ury, and one that must he dearly paid for The
following is the bill:
AN ACT to Confiscate Property used for Insur
rectiOnary purposes
Sec. |. BE It enacted BIZ the Senate and Hons,
of Representatives Of the United States Of inner
lea a., Congress assembled, That if, during the
present or any future Instruction against thu
government o. the United States, after the Pres
ident shall have declared, by proclamation, thai
the laws OF the United States are opposed
and the execution thereof INSTRUCTED by comb
nations too powerful to be suppressed by the or
binary course of judicial proceedings, or BY I'll,
power vested in the Marshals bs law, any person
or persons, his, her, or their agent, attorney Ol
employee, who shall purchase or acquire, sell OF
give, any property Of whatsoever kind or de-
| scrption, with intent to use or employ the same
or suffer the same to be used or employed, il
aiding, abetting or promoting such insurrectioi
| or resistance to the laws, or any person or per
| sons engaged therein or if any person or per
| sons, being the owner or owners of any sucl
property, shall knowingly use or employ, or con
sent to the use or employment OF the same a.
aforesaid, all snch property is hereby declared Il
be lawful subject of prize and capture wherev
err found; and it shall be the duty Of the Presi
dent of the United States to cause the same Il
| be seized, cOnfscated and condemned.
Sec. 2. And be 1t further enacted, That suct
prizes and capture, shall be condemned in Tn.
District or Circuit Court of the United State.
having Oh the Ut III
| " in any district in which the same may be seiz
ed, or to which they may be taken ard proceed
| ings first instituted.
| Sec. 3. And be It further enacted, That tn,
Attorney General, or any District Attorney o
the United States in which said property may a
the time be, may institute the proceedings o
condemnation, and in such case they may b,
wholly for the benefit of the United States OF
any person may file information with such Attor
ney. in which case the proceedings shall be fo
the use of such intormer and the United State
i'll equal parts.
Sec. 4. Ind be IL further enacted. That when
ever any person claiming to be entitled to the
service or labor of any other person, under tn,
laws OF any State, shall employ such person il
aiding or promoting any insurrection, or in ress
ting the laws of the United States, Or shall per
nit him to be so employed, he shall forfeit al
right 10 such service or labor, and the persoi
whose labor or service is thus claimed shall b,
thenoefotth discharged therefrom, any law t,
contrary notwithstanding.