Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-06
OFFICIAL.
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES
Passed at the Second Session OF the Thirty Seventh
Congress.
[PUBLIc-No. "a. |

[PUBLIc-NO. 24.1
AN ACT to prohibit the ''couiie trade" by American
citizens in Amer lean vessels
Be it enacted by the senate and House of Repre-.
sentatives of the United States OF America in Ton.
greSs assembled. That no citizen or citizens OF the
United states, or foreigner coming into or residing
within the same, shall, Tor himself Tor any other
person whatsoever, either master, factor, owner
Or otherwise, build equip load, or otherwise me
pare any ship or vessel, or any steamship or steam
vessel, registered, enrolled, Oriceuseu, in the United
States. or any port within the same, Tor the purpose
OF procuring from China, or from any port or place
therein, or from any other port or place the nhab-
itants or subjects OF China known as '.coOljes to
be transported TO any foreign country, port, or
place whatever, to be disposed OF, sod or trans
1eredi for any term of years or for auy time what.
ever as servants or apprentices, or to be held TO
service or labor And If any ship vessel, steam
ship or steam-yesse belonging in whole or in mart
TO citizens OF the United States, and registered en-
rolled, or otherwise licensed as aforesaid shall be
employed 1oT the said purposes, or in the 'coolie
trade, so called, or shall be caused TO procure or
carry from China or elsewhere us aforesaid any
SUBJECTS OF the government OF China for the pur.
pose OF transporting or disposing OF them as aiole-
sald, every such ship or vessel, steamship or steam
vessel her tackle, apparel. furniture. and other
appurtenaIlces shall be forfeited to the United
states, ana snail be liable to be seized, prosecuted
ana condemned III any of the circuit courts or dis
trict courts OF the United States for the district
where the said ship or vessel steamship or steam.
vessel, may be found, seized, or carried
Sec z. And be it further enacted, That every per.
son VINO snail so build fit out, equip load or other.
wise prepare or who shall send 10 sea, or navigate
OtnerMiSp
snip OrFessei, steam ship OF steam vessel, belonging
III whole orn part to citizens OF the United States
or registered enrolled or licensed within the same
or at any port thereof, knowing intending that
the same snail be employed in that trade or bl suess
aforesaid contrary TO the true intent and meaning
OF tins act or in anywise aiding or abetting therein
shall be severaly liable to be indicted therefor and
on conviction thereof shall be liable to a fine not
exceeding two thousand dollars and be imprisoned
not exceeding one year.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted That if any Cit
lien or citizens OF the United States shall contrary
to the true intent aud meaning OF this act, take OH
board ofany vessel OIL receive or TRANSPORT any sueh
persons as are above described in this act Tor tile
purpose of dsposng OF them Aforesaid lie or they
shail be liable to be indicted THEREFOR and,
yction thereof, shall be liable fine not exceed
ingtwo thousand dollars and be imprisoned not ex-
ceeding one year
Sec. 4, And be it further enacted That nothing in
this act heTeinbefore contained shall be deemed or
construed to apply TO or affect any and vOlunta.
ry emigration any Chinese subject or to any yes
sci carrying such person as passenger ON board the
same Provided. however, That permit or ceftifi-
cate shall be prepared and signed by the consul or
consular agent of the United States residing at the
port from which such vessel may take her departure
containing the name OF such person, and setting
forth the fact of lis voluntary emigration from such
port or place. which certificate shall be given to the
master OF such vessel; but the same shall not be
given until such consul or consular agent shall be
first personally satisfied by evidence produced OF the
truth of the facts therein contained.
Sec. g. And be it further enacted. That all the pro-
Visions OF the act of congress approved February
twenty .secOnd, eighteen hundred and forty.seyeli
enuleu An ucl 10 fegulhte the carriage OF passens
gers III merchant vessels" and all the provisions of
the act OF congress approved March third eighteen
hundred and forty nine, entitled IAN act to extend
the provisions OF all laws now in force relating TO
the carriage OF passengers in merchant vessels and
the regulation thereO shall be extended and shall
apply to all vessels owned in whole in part by cit
liens OF the United States, aud registered enrolled
or licensed within the United States, propelled by
WIND or by seam and to all masters thereof carry.
ing passengers or intending carry passengers from
any foreign port or place without the United States
toany other foreign port or place without the United
States aud That all penalties and fOrieures III ovid
ed Tor in said act shall apply to vessels and masters
last aforesaid.
Sec. 6. And be 1t further enacted, That the presi
dent OF the United States shall be and he is hereby
authorized and empowered In such way and NJ sncI
time as ne snail Judge proper TO the end tha the pro-
visions OF this act may be edforced according to the
true intent and meaning thereof to direct und order
the vessels OF the United States and the masters ma
oommnndors thereof, to examine all vessels navlght