New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-07-24
'9OFFICIAL.
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Passed at the Second Session of the Forty
First Congress.
lPuRLIC-NO. l2O.1

| Representatives OF the United States o
America in Congress assembled, That il
shall be unlawful to kill any fur-seal upon the
islands of Saint Paul and Saint George, or II
the waters adjacent thereto, except during
the months OfJune, July, September and DC
tober in each year, and it shall be unlawful
to kill such seals at any time by the use OF
firearms, or use other means tending to
drive the seals away from said islands Pro
vided That the natives of said islands shall
have the privilege of killing such young
seals as may be necessary for their own
food and clothing during other months,
and also such old seals as may be
required for their own clothing and
for the manufacture of boats for their own
use, which killing shall be limited and con-
trOlled by such regulations as shall be pre-
scribed by the Secretary Of the Treasury.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That it
shall be unlawful to kill any female seal,
or any seal less than one year old, at any
| season of the year, except as above pro-
vided; and it shall also be unlawful to kill
any seal in the waters adjacent to said is
lands or on the beaches, cliffs or rocks where
| they haul up from the sea to remain and
any person who shall violate either the pro-
| visions of this or the first section of this
al shall be punished, on conviction thereof,
| for each Otiense by fine of not less than
| two hundred dollars nor more than one
exceeding six months. or by such fine and
Imprisonment both, at the discretion of the
court having jurisdiction and taking cog
nizance of the Offense and all vessels, their
tackle, apparel, and furniture. whose crew
shall be found engaged in the violation of
any of the provisions of this act shall be
forfeited to the United States.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That
for the period of twenty years from and
after the passage of this act, the number of
fur-seals which may be killed for their skins
upon the island of Saint Paul is hereby lin
tied and restricted to seventv-tive thousand
per annum; and the number Of fur-seals
which may be killed for their skins upon the
island of Saint George. is hereby limited and
restricted to twenty-five thousand per an
mum: Provided. That the Secretary of the
Treasury may restrict and limit the right Of
killing II 1t shall become necessary for the
preservation of such seals, with such pro-
portiOnate reduction of the rents reserved
to the government as shall be right and
proper; and if any person shall knowingly
violate either of the provisions Of this sec
ton, he shall, upon due conviction thereof.
be punished in the same way as provided
herein for a violation of the provisions of
the first and second sections of this act.
SEC. 4. And be it further enacted. That
Immediately after the passage of this act
the Secretary of the Treasury shall lease.
for rental mentioned in section six of this
act, to proper and responsible parties, to the
best advantage Of the United States, having
due regard to the interests Of the govern
ment. the native inhabitants, the parties
heretofore engaged in trade, and the protec-
ton of the seal fisheries, for IA term of
twenty years from the first day of
May, eighteen hundred and seventy. the
right to engage the in business
Of taking, fur-seals on the islands of
Saint Paul and Saint George, and 10
send vessel or vessels to said
islands for the skins of such seals, giving to
the lessee or lessees Of said islands lease
duly executed. in duplicate, not transfer
able, and taking from the lessee or lessees
OF said islands a bond, with sufficient
suretles, IN sum not less than five hundred
thousand dollars, conditional for the faith
tul observance of all the laws and require
ments Of Congress and o.. the regulations of
the Secretary of the Treasury, touching the
subject-mattcr of taking fur-seals, and dis
posing OF the same, and for the payment of
all taxes and dues accruing to the United
States connected Herewith. And in max
ing said lease. the Secretary of the Treasury
shall have due regard to the preservation of |
the seal-frr trade of said islands, and the
comfort. maintenance and education of the |
natives thereof. The said lessees shall fur |
nish to the several masters of |
vessels employed by them certified copies |
OF the lease held by them, respectively, |
which shall be presented to the government |
revenue officer for the time being who NAV |
be in charge at the said islands as the au- |
thority of the party for landing and taking
skins.
SEC. 5. And be it further enacted. |
That at the expiration of said |
term OF twenty years, or on sur |
render or forfeiture of any lease, other |
leases may be made in manner as aforesaid,
TOR other terms of twenty years: I
but no persons other than American
citizens shall be permitted, by lease.
Or otherwise. to occupy said islands. or either
Of them for the purpose of taking the skins
Or fur-seals theretr0m, nor shall any foreign
vessel be engaged in taking such skins: and |
the Secretary of the Treasury shall vacate
ana declare any lease forfeited if the same
be.held or operated for the use, benefit or
advantage, directly or indirectly, of any
person or persons other than American citi
zens. Every Lease shall contain a covenant
On the part OF the lessee that he will not
keep sell, furnish, give, or dispose of anv
distilled spirits or spirituous LIQUORS on
either OF said islands to any of the natives |
thereof. such person not being a physician
ind furnishing the same for use as medi-
.lhe; ana any person who shall kill any
fur-seal on either Of said islands, or in the
waters adjacent thereto, without authority
9f the lessees thereof, and any per
son who shall modest, disturb. or
interfere with said lessees, or either
u them or their agents or employees.
n the lawful prosecution of their business.
Inder the provisions of this act, shall he
ieemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall
OF eacR ofense, on conviction thereof. be
'unlshed III the same way and by like pen
, Il as prescribed III the second section of
ms act and all vessels, their tackle. ap-
!
,rews shall be found engaged in any viola.
Ion OF either the provisions of this section
nan DE forfeited to the United States: and
any person or company, under any lease
lereln authorized shall knowingly kill or
permit to be killed, any number OF seals ev.
eedng the number for each island in this
,ct ;, prescribed such person or company
hall' In addition to the penalties and for
eltnres aforesaid, also forfeit tbe wbnIo
lumber OF the skins of seals killed in tba.
ear, or, III case the same have been disposed
I, then said person or company shall
orfelt the value of the same AID
{ shall be theiHduty of any revenno
nicer, officially acting as such on either of
: a1o islands, to seize and destroy any dis.
l me- spirits or spirituous liquors found
hereOn; Provided, That such officer sill
make detailed report of his doinrs to 'i tha
ollector OF the port. VIC
SEC. .. And be it further enacted. Tbo+
ne annual rental to be reserved bv said !
'aSe shall not be less than fifty Thousand
. I per annum, to be secured by deposit ,
l United States bonds to that amdunt ,
iio IN addition thereto revenue tay
no" m"'g OF two dollars is hereby laid {
rUm e"ca fur-seal skin taken and
hlpped from said islands. dur;n"
ne continuance of such lease, to be paid ;n' =,
me treasury of the United States: and
ne secretary of the Treasury is hereby en-.