The tri-weekly herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-05-23
TIE Conaseatfon Act.

a BILL to Suppress Insurrection, to Punish
: Treason aud Rebellion to Seize and Confscate
the Property of Rebels and for other purposes,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of
Representatives OF the Urite6 States of America,
in Congress assembled, That every person who
shall hereafter commit the crime OF treason
against the United States. and Shall iSbe adjudged
gztilty thereof, shall suffer, deas5, and all his
saves, if any, snail be declared and made Tree !;
or he shall be imprisoned for net less than FIVE
wears, and fined not less than Ten Thousand
Dollars and all his slaves, If any, shall be deelar-
ed and made free: said fine shah be leyiedasnd
collected on anS oran of the property, real aud
personal excluding slaves, of which the said per-
son SO convicted was the owner at the time Of
committing the said crime, any sale or convey
ance to the contrary notwithstanding.
SEC. 9. And be it furthersenacted, That if any
pessm shall hereafter rinete Set on foot, assist or
engage IN .auy rebellion or insurreetion against
hnaatherity Of the United States, or tie laws
thereof or SHALL gire aid or comfort thereto, or
shall engage in or give aid or comfort to any such
existing rebellion or iasurrectien andbe convict
ed thereof, such person shall be punished by i'm
prisonment for period not exceeding ten years,
Eby a fine not exceeding $4,000, and by the lib
eratien of ali Slaves, il any he have E%
5 SECS. And be it further enacted, That every
person guilty Of either of the offences described
in this act shall be- forever incapable ard dis
qitslifed to hold any Office under the United
States. - p. I.
: SEC. 4. And belt further enacted, That this
act shall not be construed in any way to effect
or alter the prosecution, conviction or punish
ments of any person or persons guilty of treason
against the United States before the passage Of
this act, unless such person is convicted under
this act.
SEC. s. And be 1t further enacted, That to in-
sure the speedy termination of the present rebel
sion it shall be the daty of the President of the
United States to cause the seizure of all the estate
and property, money, stock, credits and effects
of the persons hereafter named in this section,
and to apply and use tie same and the proceeds
thereof for the support of the army of the United
States, that is to cav: first, Of any person here
after acting>as an officer Of the army and navy of
lthe rebels in arms against the government of the
United States; secondly, Of any person hereafter
acting as President, Yice-President, member Of
Congress, Judge of any court, cabinet officer; for
egn minister, commissioner or consul OF, the So
called Confederate States of America !; thirdly,
of any person acting as Governor of a State,
member of convention or legislature, or judge
Fof any court of the so-called Confederate States
of America; fourthly, of any person who, having
held an Office of honor, trust or profit in the
United States, shall hereafter hold an Office in the
so-called Confederate States of America; filthy,
of any person hereafter holding an Office or
agency under the government OF the so-cahed
Confederate States of America, tor any OF the
several States of the said Confederacy or the laws
thereof, whether such Office or agency be ma,
tional, State or municipal in its character; pro-
vided that the persons thirdly, fourthly and fifth
| ly, above described, shall have accepted their
appointment or election since the date of the
pretended ordinance of secession OF the State, or
shall have taken an oath of allegiance to or to
support the Constitution of the so-caIed Confed'
crate States; sixthly, of any person who, owning
property in any loyal State or Territory of the
United States, or in the District of Columbia
shall hereafter assist and give aid and comfort tc
such rebellion, and all sales transfer or convey
| ance Of any such property, shall be null and
void; and it.shan bea sufficient bar to any snit
brought By such person Tor the possession Of tbs