Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1863-03-18
BE If enacted By tie Senate and House or

BE It enacted By the Senate and House Of
Representatives Of he United States o.
Anae7Tca IN Congress assembled, That during
the present rebellion, the President of the
United States, whenever in his judgment
the public safety may require it, is au-
thorized 10 suspend the privilege of the
writ of hGJeas corpus in any case through
out the United States, or any part thereof;
and whenever and wherever the said priv
iege shall be suspended as aforesaid, no
military or other officer shall be compelled,
in answer 10 any writ of kabeas corpus, to
return the body of any person or persons
detained by him by authority of the
President; but upon 4 certificate, under
oath, OF the officer having charge of any
one SO detained, that such person is de
tanned by him as q prisoner, under au-
thority of the President, further proceed
ings under the writ of haJcas corpus shall
be suspended by the judge or court having
issued the said writ SO long as said sus-
pension y the President shall rcIna;n in
force and said rebellion continue.
SEC. ,. lind be II ft1tleT enacted, That
the Secretary of State and the Secretary
of War be, and they are hereby directed,
as soon Us may be practicable, 10 furnish
10 the judges of the circuit and district
courts of the United States and of the
District of Columbia, 4 list OF the names
of all persons. citizens of the States In
which the administration of the laws has
continued unimpaired in the said Federal
courts, who are now, or may hereafter bc,
held as prisoners of the United States, by
order or authority of the President of the
United States or either of said Secretaries,
in any fort, arsenal, or other place, as
State or PoiItlys'i f,---~-,a-S. or otherwise
than as prisoners of war; the said list 10
contain the names of all those who reside
in the respective jurisdictions Of said
Judges. or who may be deemed by the
said Secretaries, or either of them, TO have
violated any law of the United States in
any of said Jurisdictions, and also the
date of each arrest-the Secretary of
State to furnish a list of such persons as
are imprisoned or the order or authority
of the President, acting through the State
Department, and the Secretary of Var a
list of such as are imprisoned by the order
or authority of the President, acting
through the Department of War And
in all cases where n grand jury, having
attended any OF said courts having juris
diction in the premises, after the passage
Of this act, and after the furnishing of
said hist, as aforesaid, has terIninated its
session without finding an indictment, or
presentment, or other proceeding against
such person, it shall be the duty of the
Judge of said court forthwith 10 make an
order that any such prisoner desiring a
discharge from said imprisonment be
brought before him to be discharged and
every officer of the United States having
custody of such prisoner is hereby directed
Immediately TO obey and execute said
Judges order: and in case he shall delay
or refuse so to do, he shall be subject 10
indictment for misdemeanor, and be pun
ished by a fine of not less than five hun
dred dollars and Imprisonment in the
common Jail for period not less than SIX
months. in the discretion Of the court:
Py,oriclel. ho,cern-, That no person shall
be discharged by virtue of the provisions
of this act until after he or she shall have
taken an oath of allegiance To the govern
ment of the United States, and TO support
the Constitution thereof; and that be or
she will not hereafter, in any way, en-
courage or give aid ard comfort TO the
present rebellion or the supporters thereof:
4 nd prol7ded, also, That the judge or court
before whom such person may be brought,
before discharging him or her from i'm
prisonment, shall have power, on exami-
nation of the case, and, if pubic safety
shall require il, shall be required to cause
him or her TO enter into recognizance, with
or without surety, in sum tn be fixed by
said Judge or court, 70 keep the peace and
be of good behavior towards the United
States and Its citizens, and from time 10
time, and n: such times IS such judge OF
court may direct, appear before said Judge
or court TO be further dealt with, accord
| ing to law, as the circumstances may re-
quire. And il shall be the duty of the
District Attorney of the United States
to attend such examination before the
judge
SEC. 3. AI.d Be Il further e1aactcsi, That
in case any of such prisoners shall bC
under Indictment or presentneni for ,;'iaN
offence arainst ihe laws q: the InItc-
s,tates, and BY exis:in. laws hali or : rc
o,a,,izancs may bs tsk-rl fa- the so.--ar'