Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-03-12

We subjon copy Of the bill adopted Tuesday by
the Confederate Senate substitute for the Impress
ment Bill which was recently passed by the House Of
REPRESENTATIVES
a Bill to Regulate hnprsssa,etts BY t.Geers of tho
Army:
WnEREAs In time of war, when the public necessity
is 30 urgent as not to ADM. OF delay aud where re-
sort to ordinary measures would be sufficient or In
time to avert immediate and impending danger or 10
supply the called for by emergencies oil tho
vice. military officers commanding troops or CHARGED
with the duty OF providing for army have been held
justified in mpressng private property into the public
service or taking IL for the public Ind chereas il
proper that the citizen whose property is TAKEN
should have just and prompt remuneration from the
Government, and likewise be protected from the wan.
ton oppressive unnecessary exercise of this power
Therefore,
SGcI |. The Congress of he Confederate States Of
Aueied do enact, That when any officer in the military
service Of the Confederate States in command of troops
or charged with the duty Of supplying army, shall
impress into the public service any property belonging
to citizen of any of the Confederate States 10 any
peaceful resident OF the same, such officer shall before
appropiang the same to the public use cause valu.
alton and appraisement thereof, upon proof of value
to DC made by three disnterested citizens il it
be done without injurious delay and if the apprsise
ment shall seem just and fair lie shall endorse upon it
his approval if not he shall endorse on it his reasons
for refusing, and deliver the same together witha re-
ceipt for the property impressed to the owner his
agent attorney, and practicable forward
copy of the receipt aud appraisehcn and his endorse
ment thereon to the head of the department having
charge OF the species of property take1, Where an
apprasement cannot be conveniently made he shall de-
liver receipt TO the owner, his agent or attorney and
forward copy above directed
SEC 2. That the persons selected to spprasc proper
ty Impressed provided in the Is. Section shall in all
cascS before acting, take and subscribe an oath that
they callnd To no
just and, near they estimate the same, at
fir value of the impressed property.
SEc 3. Where property Is impressed aud after tenn
poyary service, IL is returned 10 the owner his
agent attorney the value OF such service shall be
ascerancd and acted upon directed in the foregoing
section.
SIC 1. That upon the production Of the receipt of
the officer for property impressed and the valuation Of
the same or for the aud service of such when re-
turned to the owner approved by said officer, it shall
be the duty OF the proper discussing officer pay the
amount thereof 20 the Owper of such property, his
agent or attorney in the OF property duly pur
chased hired and the acceptance of pay from gov
ernment shall! in all cases, operate release of all
ndnery of oo &c q SS 81 6ni hc fsF taking the
brcn no appraisement in valuation where such ap
prasoment and valuation is not approved by the officer
taking the property the claim shall be referred TO the
proper accounting officer Of the government to be set
tied according to the principles of equity and justice.
SIC D. That any officer in the military service OF tic
Confederate States who shall wantony opprcssvey
impress or take any property Of citizen Of any Of the
Confederate States, or Of u peaceful resident of the
same or who shall DO except when necessary to avert
impending danger or to prosecute successfully lmpor-
ant military operations, shall be deemed trcSspasser
and held liable for damages such 10 any citizen or
resident so deprived of his property to be recovered in
any court having jurisdiction in the premises, and shall
further be tried before court martial military court
and ON conviction, shh be dismissed the service.
SEC G. Property necessary for the support of the
owner aud his family and necessary to carry his
binary agricultural and manufacturing business until the
harvesting of the next CROP shall not be taken for the
public USE to be ascerancd by the oath Of the appraiser
herenbcors authorized when the and officer
not sgfee, and the decision of the appraiser shall be
binding the officer
Src 7. That previous to the first day of October next
no slave aborng farm or plantation, exclusively
devoted to the production Of grain and provisions shall
be taken for the public use without the consent of the
owner.