Directory_and_Chronicle_1864 — Page 388

AMERICAN PASSENGERS ACT.

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Penalties saved

regulation thereof," are hereby repealed. But nothing in this act contained shall in anywise ob- from such repoul. struct or prevent the prosecution, recovery, distribution, or remission of any fines, penalties or forfeitures, which may have been incurred in respect to any vessels prior to the day this act goes into effect, in respect to such vessels, under the laws hereby repealed, for which purpose the said laws shall continue in force.

But the Secretary of the Treasury may, in his discretion, and upon such conditions as he shall think proper, discontinue

discontinue any such proseou~ tions, or remit or modify such penalties.

APPROVED, March 3, 1855.

EXTRACT OF AN ACT FOR THE REGISTERING ENROLLING AND LICENSING OF SHIPS OR VESSELS OF THE UNITED STATES.

How Foreign built vessels can be owned by Citizens of the United States.

ART. 73. On questions submitted to this Department, as to what documents can be issued under the laws of the United States to foreign- built vessels purchased and wholly owned by citizens of the United States, whether purchased of belligerents or neutrals during a war to which the United States are not a party, or in peace, of foreign owners, it has been decided as follows:

Such vessels enti«

tled to protection as American property, but not to register, enrolment or license.

Vessels so purchased and owned are entitled to the protection of the authorities and flag of the United States, as the property of American citizens, although no register, enrolment, license, or other marine document, prescribed by the laws of the United States, can be lawfully issued to such vessels; 3

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74. To enable, however, the owners of a vessel Collector may make. so circumstanced to protect their rights, if molested record of bill of sale or questioned, the collector of the customs, though forbidden by law to grant any marine document or certificate of ownership, may lawfully make record of the bill of sale in his office, authen- And certify its va- ticate its validity in form and substance, and deliver ··lidity. to the owner a certificate to that effect; certifying, also, that the owner is a citizen of the United States.

And citizenship of owner.

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When collector may

record bill of sale and grant certificate.

75. These facts, thus authenticated, if the transfer was in good faith, entitle the vessel to protection as the lawful property of a citizen of the United States; and the authentication of the bill of sale and, of citizenship will be prima facie proof of such good faith. 76. In all cases, therefore, where the evidence of the purchase of a foreign vessel by a citizen of the United States, with proof, of citizenship and of the bona fide character of the purchase, shaH be furnished to a collector of the customs, he will, if the proof be satisfactory, and purchase deem- ed fair, record the bill of sale in his office, and deliver to the party the original, with a certificate endorsed thereon in the following form, to wit: