The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-11-29


proceedings of the Legislature that Mr Brown, on
! OF the Commoners from this county. has introduce
bill to punish any resident citizen of this Stat
who absconds to the enemy. by forfeiture of proper
ty and rights as a citizen hereafter. Some measur
like this is greatly demanded to punish those per
sons who are sneaking off to yankee-and or som
other foreign country to avoid the responsibilities
and dangers of citizen of the Confederacy. Gen
orally. those who have gone off. going off
have placed their property in care of some lef
behind expecting to receive the proceeds of its sale
Or when the war is and the danger is past. t.
return and enjoy it. He that is not willing to stant
by US in day of trial. is not worthy to enjoy The
rights of citizen when independence is secured
Just before going to press received copy of Mr
Browns BILL which publish follows:
A Blu to Punish Persons Removing from, Mis
State and Joining the Enemy.
SECTION Be it enacted by the General Assembly OF
the State of North Carolina and it is hereby enacted
by The authority Of the same, That any person now -
citizen of this State the age of twenyonc years and
upwards, who shall leave this State during the
uance OF the present between the United States
and the Confederate States of America and remove
ang one the United States its Territories who
shall remove within the enemy's lines within this State
am of the Confederate States, who shall leave
the Confederate States and go any foreign country
for the pnrpoSe Of there remaining during the contin-
nance of the war; during the occupation Of the
by the authorities of the United States or who shall
voluntarily enter into the military service of the United
States otherwise bear against this State or the
Confederate States, who having left SINCE the
commenced, shall after the close of the war,
shall be guilty of misdemeanor, and upon conviction
shall forfeit all his goods and chates lands and ene
ments, the of the State and moreover shall be
utterly incapable hereafter Of holding any office of
honor, trust profit, any authority to do business
whatsoever sitting any Jury, after hold
Gnl oil
this section shall apply any loyal citizen who has
pass through the enemys lines going to returning
from his home farm, attending the same, any
person who has to leave this State account of i'll
health.
Sec. q Be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty Of the Attorney General and the several Solicitors
in their respective Circuits file information in the
Superior Courts of Law against all persons coming
within the provisions of the first Section Of this act
which information shall Immediately create lien upon
all his estates real and personal, and upon such nfor
nation fled it shall be the duty of the Court to
order publication to be made for six weeks in
paper printed in said Judiciary Circuit, other
wise the Court may direct for the offending party
appear at the next term of the Superior Court and show
cause, if any he can, against said proceedings, and
upon his failure TO appear failure to show sufficient
cause be judged of by the Court i: shall be the duty
of the Court to direct writ of enquiry to issue to the
Sheriff, commanding him to summon Jury of twelve
reehoders to enquire into the truth of such removal
entering into the military service of the enemy,
otherwise bearing arms against the State Conteder-
ate States, and if the said Jury shall return verdict
finding the facts against the accused person. il shall be
the duty of the Court to up Judgment of forfeit
ure and disqualification against him according to the
provisions of the first Section of this act and award
execution against his property and effects
Sec. g. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty of the Sheriff. upon such execution coming to his
hands, seize all the estate real and personal of the
offender and to sell to the highest bidder, in the
manner as is provided by Law, for the sale of
property under execution and make due return to the
next ter of said Court.
Sec. T. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the
duty of the Court, after setting aside Efficient amount
of the proceeds of sach sale pay the be taxed
by the Clerk to direct the balance to he paid into the
public Treasury, and that this Law shall be in force
from and after it's ratification.