The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-07-03
THE COOLIE TRADE.

The following act Of Congress was passed
on FEBRUARY 10th, 1862, and is the law frequently
spoken of in connection with the subject Of
Chinese immigration
l. No citizen or citizens fthe United States.
or foreigner coming into or residing within
the same, Shall for himself or for any other
person whatsoever, either as master, factor,
owner or otherwise, build, equip, load or 9TH
erwise prepare any ship or vessel, or any
steamship or steam vessel registered. enrolled
or licensed in the Uoited States, or any port
within the same, for tho purpose OF procuring
from China, or from any port or place therein,
or from any other port or place, the inhablt-
ants or subjects Of China, known as "coolies,"
to be TRANSPORTED to any foreign country, port
or place whatever, to be disposed OF, or sold,
or transferred for any term of years, or for any
time whatever, as servants or apprentices. or
TO be held to service or labor. And IL any ship
or vessel, steamship or steam vessel, belong
ing in whole or in part to citizens of the Uni
ted States, and registered, en oiled or other
wise licensed as aforesaid, shall be employed
for the said purposes. or in the "coolie trade"
so called, or shall be caused to procure or
carry from China or elsewhere, as aforesaid.
any subjects Of the Government of China, for
the purpose Of transporting or 'disposlng OF
them as aforesaid, every such ship or vessel,
steamship or steam vessel. her tackle, apparel,
furniture and other appurtenances shall be
forfeited to the United States, and shall be
liable to be seized. prosecuted and condemned
IN any Of the circuit courts or district courts
Of the United States for the district where
the said ship or vessel, steamship or steam
vessel may be found seized or carried.
2. Every person who shall 80 build, At out,
equip. load or otherwise prepare, or who shall
send to sea or navigate, as owner, master, fac
tor, agent or otherwise. any ship or vessel.
oh m lt. q
or in part to citizens OF the United States, or
registered, enrolled or licensed within the
same, or at any port thereof, knowing or intend
ing that the same shall be employed in that
trade or business aforesaid, contrary to the
true intent and meaning OF this act, or in any
rally liable to be indicted therefor, and, on
conviction thereof. shall be liable to fine not
exceeding two Thousand dollars and be i'm
prisoned not exceeding one year, l- .-t'
g. II any ni izen or citizens OF the United
States shall, contrary to the true intent and
meaning of this act. take on board Of any ves-
sci, or receive or transport any such persons
as are above described in this act, for the pur-
pose OF disposlng OF them as aforesaid, hs or
they shall be liable to be indicted therefor,
and, on conviction thereof, shall be liable to
fine not exceeding two thousand dollars and
be imprisoned not exceeding one year.
4. Nothing in this act hereinbefore contained
shall be deemed or construed to apply TO or
affect any free and voluntary emigration OF
any Chinese subject, or to any vessel carrying
srch person "a passenger on board the same:
Provided, houerer That a permit or certlt-
cate shall be prepared and signec Ly the con-
sui or CO sular agent OF the United States re-
siding at the port from which such vessel may
take her departure, containing the name Of
such person and setting forth the fact OF his
voluntary emigration from such port or place,
,,ok, ,t,Ga oho1l ho 10 fGa uknr
of such vessel; but the same shall not be
given until sucn consul or consular agent shall
be first personally satisfied bv evidence pro-
duced OF the truth Of the facts therein con-
tanned.
S. All the provisions OF the act OF Congress
February 22d, 1847, entitled IAN
act to regulate the carriage OF passengers in
merchant vessels and ali the provisions OF
the act Of Congress approved March Sd, 1919,
entitled IAN act to extend the provisions OF
all laws now in force relating to the carriage
of passengers in merchant vessels and the
regulation thereof" shall be extended and
shall apply to oil vessels owned in whole or IN
part by citizens Of the United States aud reg
istered, enrolled or licensed within the United
States, propelled by wind or by steam, and to
all masters thereof carrying passengers, or
to c:rry passengers from any for
eian port or place without the United States
to any other foreign port or place without the
Oullcu Othl0p5 uuu oil PcuaitlSo nuu lollol-
lures provided for in said act shall apply to |
vessels AMI masters last aforesaid.
G. The President Of the United States shall |
be and he is hereby authorized and empowered. |
10 such way and at such time as he shall judge |
proper. to the end that the'proylsions Of this |
act may be enforced, according to the true ln- |
tent and meaning thereof, to direct and order |
the vessels of the United States, and the mas
ters and commanders thereof, to examine all |
vessels navgated or owned in whole or in part |
by citizeus OF the United States, and regis
tered enrolled or licensed under the laws OF
the United States, wherever they may. be
in the judgment Of such master or
officer thereof, reasonable cause
shall exist to believe that such vessel has on
board, in' violation Of the provisions OF this
act, any subjects OF China known az coolies"
FOR the pur lose Of transportation; and upon
sufficient proof that such vessel is employed
in violation OF the provisions OF this act, to
,nuse such vessel to be carried, with her Off
GERS and crew, into any polt or district within
he United States, and delivered to the Mar
shall OF such strict, to be held and disposed
u according to the provisions of this act.