The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-05-23
The ConGscat;on Act.

The ConGsoa:ion Act.
4 Bill to Suppress Isuryect;ou. to
Pun'sh Treason ond Rebellion, to
Seize and Confscote tie Propertv
O R'6e(s and for other purposes.
be it enacted by the Senate and
House of Repre- senta,ives of the
Cnlted States Of America in Congress
assembled, That every person who
snail Hereafter commit the crime of
treason against the United States. And
shall be adjudged guilty thereof shall
suher death, and aIi his slaves. if any.
Shall be declared and made free, or he
shal! be imprisoned f.r not less than
i've years and fined no; less. than
$4,000, and ALL his slaves, if any,
Snail be declared and made free; said
line shall be levied and collected on
any or all Of the property, real and
personal, excluding slaves, Of which
the said person So convicted was the
owner. at the time Of committing the
SAID crime, any sale or con@eyance to
the contrary notwithstanding
SEC. 2. And he it further enacted,
That if any person shall hereafter
lnci;e. set on foot. assist or engage in
any rebellion or inSnrrcct;on against
the Authority of the United STATES. or
'!e laws thereof, or shall give aid or
comfort thereto, or shall engage in or
give AID or comfort 10 any su,:,,, axist-
lns rebellion or insurrcction, ana he
coEv'cle ] Thereof; ~n.h person shall he
phnla'e1 Av ilnrris,nmen' for period
not exceeding ten years, by fine not
'rNceeding $4,000, and hv Tie liberia
tion OF all Slaves. ii any lie have.
SEC. 3. And be it farther enacted.
lhN every person guilty of either Of
tie Offences described in this Act SHALL
he forever incapable aud ci~ur.lGc
TO hold any Office un,!er the United
States.
Sac. 4. .An! be it further enacted,
That l.'is Net Snail not be construed in
any way to effect or alter the prose
cu.:on, conviction or punishment Of
any person or persons guilty OF treason
against TIE un,tel States before the
passage of this Act. unless such person
is convictc,! under this Act.
SEc. 5. And be it further enacted.
nat 10 insure the speedy termination
o: the present rebellion, it shall bc tie
!"'y Ct the President of the United
S;"lcs 10 cause the seizure of all the
estate and properly, money, stock.
credits and effects Of tie persons here,
alter named in this section. and 10
apply "al Use the same and the pro-
leeds thereof for the support of the
*1lny Of the United States that is to
say: a'st, OF any person hereafter
"ctlnS as an officer of the army and
:.avy OF the rebels in arms against the
Government Of the Un.leA States;
secondly, Of any person hereafter act
i"g as President, ' ice President, mem
'"r o: Congress, Judge Of any court,
cau'nes officer, foreign minister, cons
missioner or consul Of the so called
onieGerate States Of America; thirdly.
9. any person acting as Governor of a
State, member Of !; convention or lecis-
!'t"rc, or Judge Of Snv court Of the
50 called Confederate States Of Ame.
r:c";; :oarthly, Of any person who,
having held an Office OF honor, trust or
".o:lt N the United States, shall here
'::fie: hold an Office in the socalled
Confederate States of America: filthy.
o: any person hereafter holding an
office or agency under the Government
oS the so-ralled Confederate States Of
America, or any Of the several States
,. the said Confederacy or TIE laws
hereof. whether s"ch office or agency
% narional State or municipal in its