The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-04-11
The Civil Rights Law-Rcad 1t.
The following is n correct copy of the law
as passed hY both Houses over the veto:

gress assembled, That all persons born in the
United States and not subject to any foreign
Power, excluding Indians not taxed, are
hereby declared to be citizens of the United
States and such citizens of every race and
color, without regard TO any previous condi-
tion otslayery or Involuntary Serytude, eX-
cept as Il punishment for crime, whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted, shall
have the same right i'll every State and ter
ritory in the United States to make and en-
force contracts, 10 sue, be parties, and give
evidence, 10 inherit, purchase, lease, sell,
hold and convey real and personal property,
and TO full and equal benefit of all laws and
proceedings for the security of person and
property rs is enjoyed by white citizens, and
! shall be subject 10 like punishment, pains, and
penalties, and to none other, any law, statute,
ordinance, regulation, or custom, 10 the con-
trary Notwithstanding.
"SECrIoS2 4ndbe FURTHER ea0cted, That any
person who under color of any law, statute,
ordinance, regulation, or custom, shall sub
iect or cause TO be subjected, any iuhabitant
OF any State or territory TO the deprivation of
any right secured or protected by this act or
/ to different punishment, pains. or penalties on
account OF such person having at any time
been held in a condition of slavery or mvolun-
tary scrvtude, except as 4 punishment for
| crime, whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted, or by reason of his color CT race,
than is prescribed for the punishment OF white
persons, shall be deemed guilty of 4 misde-
meanor, and. on conviction, shall be punished
by fine not exceeding one thousad dollars, or
imprisonment not exceeding one year, or Ootn,
/ in the discretion of the court.
"SECTI0S 3. ini be il fnTtier cancted, That
the district courts of the United States, within
their respective districts, shall have, eXclu-
siyely of the courts of the several States, cog
niZance of all crimes and offences committed
against the provisions of this act, and also,
concurrently with the circuit courts OF The
United States, of all causes, civil and crilni-
nal affecting persons who are denied or can
not enforce in the courts or Judicial tribunals
of the State or locality where they may be any
of the rights secured 10 them by the flrSt sec.
ton of this act; and II any SUIT or prosccu-
ton civil or criminal, has been, or shall be,
commenced III any State conrt against any
such person for any cause whatsoever, or
against any officer, civil or military, or other
person, for any arrest or imprisonment, Tres
passes, or wrongs done or committed by virtue
or under color OF authority derived from
this act or the act establishing Il bureau
for the relief of freedmen and refugees,
and all acts amendatOry thereof, or for re
fusing TO do any act upon me ground that
il would be inconsistent with this act such
defendant shall have the right 10 remove
such cause for trial 10 the proper district or
circui, court in the manner prescribed by III"
act relating 10 hdbedS corp"S and regulating
judicial proceedings Ill certain cases, approved
March = 1868, and all acts amendatOry thereof
The jurisdiction i'll civil and criminal matters
hereby conferred on the district and circuit
courts Of the United States snail be exercised
and enforced in conformity with the laws OF
the United States, so far rs such laWS Sare SUIT
able to carry the same into effect; but i'll all
cases where such laws are not adapted TO the
object, or are deficient III the provisions neces-
sary TO furnish suitable remedies and punish
offences against law, the common law, as
modified and changed by The Constitution ana
statutes of the State wherein the court having
jurisdiction of the cause, civil or criminal, Is
held, 50 far as the same is not inconsistent
with the Constitution and laws OF the United
States shall be extended TO and govern sald
courts in the trial and disposition OF such
cause, and, if of 4 criminal nature IN the
iutiicton of punishment on the party found
guilty.
the district attorneys, marshals, and deputy
marshals of the United States, the commits
sionerS appointed by the circuit and terrific
rial courts of the United States, with powers
of arresting, imprlsoning, or balhnS Offenders
against the laws OF the United States, the OH
GERS and agents of the freedmen's Bureau, and
every other officer who may be specially en-
powered by the President OF the I nited States,
shall be. and they are hereby, specially autho-
rized and required, at the expense OF the
United States 10 institute proceedings against
all and every person who shall violate the pro-
visions of this act, and cause him or them TO
be arrested and imprisoned or balied, rs The
case NAV he. for trial before such court OF the
limited States or territorial court as by TINS
act has cognizance of the offence. AND with
a view to afording reasonable protection 10
all persons i'll their cons ttutional rights OF
equality before the law, without distinction OF
i,
or involuntary serYitude, except rs 4 punish
ment for crime, whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted, and 10 the prompt dls-
charge OF all the duties OF this act, IL shall be
the duty of the circuit courts OF the Unlted
States and the superior courts of the terrific
ries of the United States from time TO time TO
increase the number OF commissioners, soas 10
afford q speedy and convenient means Tor the
arrest and examination OF persons charged
with Il violation of this act. And such com.
missioners are hereby authorized ana required
to exercise and discharge all the powers ana
duties conferred on them by this act, ana the
same duties with regard 10 offences created by
this act as they are authorized by law 10 eX-
ercise with regard To other offences against the
laws of the United States.
"SECTIox j. Ind he it further enHctet, That il
shal! be the duty of all marshals ana deputy
marshals to obey and execute all warrants and
precepts issued under the provisions OF ms
act when to them directed; ana should any
marshal or deputy marshal refuse 10 receive
such warrant or other process "neh tenoelea'
or to use all proper means diligently 10 exc
on To the same he shall, on conviction Thereon,
be fined in the sum OF one thousand dohars'
to the use of the person upon whom me ac-
cnsed is alleged to have committed the offence.
And the better TO enable the said commission
ers TO execute their duties faithfully and
efficiently in conformity with the Cohstltu-
ton of the United States ana the requirements
of this act they are hereby authorized ana
empowered, within their counties respectively,
to appoint, in writing, under their hands any
one or more suitable persons, from TIME 10
time to execute all such warrants ana other
process as may be issued by them In the law
ful performance of their respective duties
and the persons 50 appointed TO execute any
warrant or process as aforesaid shall nave
authority to summon ana call 10 their ala TIE
bystanders or the posse contdtuS OF the proper
county, or such portion of the land and navai
forces of the United States, or the militia, as
NAV be necessary 10 the performance OF the
duty with which they are charged, and TO m
sure a faithful observance of the clause of the
Constitution which prohibits slavery, III con,
formity with the provisions of this act ana
said warrants shall run and be executed by
said officers anywhere in the State or terri
tory within which they are issued.
"SEcTIoS 8. lad BE- il FURTHER en1cted. mar
any person who shall knowingly and Wilfully
obstruct hinder, or prevent any oficef Vi
other person charged with the execution oi
any warrant or process issued uhder me plo
visions of this act or any person or persons
lawfully assisting him or them, from arrestins
any person for whose apprehension sucn ,, waI
&