The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-03-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
WASHINGTON, March 6.
SENATE.

Mr.. Morton, from the committee on
Foreign Relations, reported the follow
ing, a bill, making it q nisdemeanor to
fit out or equip ships of war, with intent
that they shall be employed in the ser
vice of any European Prince or State,
for the purpose of subduiDg American
colOnists claiming Independence, and
providing for the forfeiture of such ship
, or vessel:
Bel enacted, &c, That if any person
shall, within the limits of the United
States, fit out, arm or equip, or attempt
to fit out, arm or equip, or procure to
be itted out, armed or equipped, or
shall knowingly be concerned in the
fitting out, arming or equipping of any
ship or vessel, with intent thI such
ship or vessel shall be employed in the
service of any European Prince or State,
for the purpose of subduing American
colonists claiming independence, or
shall issue or deliver n commission
within the territory of the United States,
for any ship or vessel with the intent
that she may be employed as aforesaid;
every person so offending shall be guilty
of misdemeanor, and upon conviction
thereof shall be fined in any sum not
exceeding $4,000, and imprisonment for
period not exceeding two years nor
less than six months; and every such
ship or vessel with her tackle, appare
and furniture, together with all mate
rails, arms, ammunitions and stores
which may have been procured for
building and equipping thereof, shall
be forfeited, half TO the informant and
the other half to the United States.
SEC. 2. Ind be il further enacted, That
every case where a ship or vessel shall
be fitted out, armed or equipped or at
tempted to be fitted out, armed or equip
ped, contrary to the provisions of this
act, it shall be- lawful for the President
of the United States, or such person as
he shall have empowered for the pur-
pose, to employ the land or naval forces
or militia of the United States. or any
part thereof, for the purpose of taking
possession of and OBTAINING any such
ship or vessel.
Mr.. Chandler, from the committee or
Commerce, reported, without amend
ments, a bill to regulate the foreign
and coasting trade of the northern
northeastern and northwestern from
tier of the United States.
Mr.. Bayard, from the committee or
Finance, reported bill to relieve pub
lie charities from taxation. 1t provide:
that hereafter no tax shall be levied Of
collected on requests of real or personal
property made for public uses of lit.
erary, educational or charitable char
actsr, but such taxes already levied
shall DO paid.
Mr.. Kellogg introduced bill in aid o.
the freedmen, and for the purpose o.
subdividing the public domain in GER
tain States into forty acre tracts fol
homesteads for the colored race. Re
ferred.
Mr.. Fowler submitted the following
resolution, which was laid over under
objection
ReselreS, That as tits apparent thai
the currency and finances of the United
States are rapidly approximating to
specie basis, the Finance committee b.
instructed to report instructing tn
Secretary of the Treasury TO dispose o
the surplus gold in the treasury will
out delay so as to secure to the Govern
ment the premium now thereon.
The following bills were introduced
and referred:
Dy GE' NIllIahs-A JOINT resolution
for the redemption of legal tender notes
of the United States. 1t provides thai
from aud after the passage of the reso
luton, all payments to the United
States on account of duties or imports
may be made to the amount of eae. hal
of each payment in legal tender note
of the United States. Referred.
By Mr.. Wilson-To promote the civil
ization Of the Indians, and prepare then
for the rights of citizenship.
The funding bill was then taken n,
and debated by Messrs. Sherman, Cor
bett and Davis.
At $50 the Senate went into execu
tive session, and afterward adjourned