Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-11
Approved. January 81, 1862.
tPUBLIc-No. "a
AN ACT to prohibit the "coolie trader by America,
citizens in me rican uessalr

AN All to prohibit the 'coolie trade" by American
citizens in American vessels
Be it enacted by the Senate and Hopse ot Penra.
sentatlves Of the United States of America in Con
gress assembled That no citizen or citizens of the
Onted States, or foreigner coming into or residing
Wltln The same, SHALL Tor himself or for any othar
person whatsoever, either a s master factor o,rna
OF othefwse, build, equip, load, or otherwise me-
paIe, any snip or vessel, or any steamship or steam.
registered, enrolled, or licensed in the United
Staes or any port within the same for the nurnosa
~ PpocuIig from China, or from any port or place
tants or subects any other port or place the hab
be transported to any foreign comntrv nori ~
place whatever, to be disposed Of or sold or ran
loI any term OF years or for any time what.
ever, as servants or apprentices, or to be held to
service or labor. And if any ship or vessel stoam
ship or steam vessel belonging in whole or in mart
to citizens of the United States, ard Registered on
rolled, or otherwise licensed as aforesaid shall he
employed Tor the said purposes, or in the 'coolie
trade, SO called, or shall be caused TO procure or
carry from China or elsewhere, as aforesaid Sny
subjects of the goNernment OF China for tile pur-
pose OF transporting or disposing of them aioie-
SAID, every such ship or vessel steamship steam
appurtenances, shall be forfeited to the United
States, and shall be liable to be seized prosecuted
and condemned in 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 who shall so build, fit out, equip load or other.
wise prepare, or who shall send to sea- or navigate
as owner, master, factor, agent otherwise any
in whole or i'll part to citizens of the United States
or registered, enrolled, licensed within the same
or at any port thereof knowing intending that
the same shall be employed in that trade or business
aforesaid, contrary TO the true intent and meaning
OF this act, in anywse aiding or abetur therein
shall be severally liable to be indicted therefor and
on conviction thereof, shall be liable to fine NOT
exceeding two thousand dollars and be imprisoned
not exceeding one year.
Sec. D. And be it further enacted, That if anv Gift
izen or citizens OF the United States shall contrary
TO the true intent and meaning OF this act take on
Doard OF any vessel OF receive transport any such
persons as are above described in this act for the
purpose of dsposing of them as aforesaid he or the
shall be liable to be indicted therefor and on con
yction thereof, shall be liable fine not exceed
ceeding one year.
Sec A. And be it further enacted, That nothing in
TINS ACT herelnbefore contained shall be deemed or
construed to apply TO or affect any free and younta
ry emigration OF any Chinese subject or to any YES
sci carrying such person passenger on board the
same Provided, however, That a permit or ceitiii-
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
So!ainlhg me name OF such person, and setting
lort the TACT OF his 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 he
first personally satisfied by evidence reduced of the
truth OF the facts therein contained.
Sec D. And De it further enacted, That all the pro-
visions OF the act of congress approved February
twenty, second, eighteen hundred and forty.seyeli
entitled AN act TO regulate the carriage of passen.
gers Ill merchant vessels and all the provisions of
the act OF congress approved March third eighteen
nuhafed and forty nine, entitled IAN act to extend
the provisions of all laws in fol ce relating to
the carnage OF passengers in merchant vessels and
the regulation thereof shall be extended and shall
apply to all vessels owned in whole or in part by cit
liens OF the United States, and registered enrolled
or licensed within the United States propelled by
WIND or by steam, and to all masters thereof carry
ing passengers or intending carry passengers from
any foreign port or place without the United States
to any other foreign port place without the United
States; and that all penalties and forfeu1es NJ ovid
ed for in said act shall apply to vessels and masters
last aforesaid.
Sec. g. And be it further enacted, That the presi-
dtnt OF the United States shall be and he is hereby
authorized and empowered, in such way and at such
time as snail judge proper TO the end that the pro-
visions OF this act may be enforced according TO the
true intent and meaning thereof TO direct md order
the vessels of the United States and the masters and
commanders thereof, to examine all vessels payioaf
ed or owned in whole in part by citizens of The
United States and registered enrolled or Iiceusa6
under the laws of the United States wherever thew
may be- whenever, in the Judgment of such mastei.
or commanding officer thereof, reasonable cause
shal exist to believe that such vessel has on hoard
IN violation of the provisions of this act any sub
JectS OF China known Goodies" Tor The purnose
OF transportationi and upon suf, cient proof that
such vessel IS employed in violation of the proyis
IONS OF this act to such vessel TO be carried
with her officers and crew. into any port or district
Mlnlh the Unl1ed states, and delivered to the mar
shal OF such district to be held and dsposed of
according to the provisions OF this act
Sec Z. And be it further enacted That this act
sha take effect from and after sin months from fine
day OF its passage. '"N
Approved, February 10, 1862.