Directory_and_Chronicle_1864 — Page 391

PROMIBITION OF THE COOLIE TRADE IN AMERICAN VESSELS.

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master, factor, agent. or otherwise, any ship or vessel, steamship or steam-vessel, be- longing in whole or in part to citizens of the United States, or registered, enrolled, or licensed within the same, or at any port thereof, knowing or intending that the same shall be employed in that trade or business aforesaid, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, or in anywise aiding or abetting therein, shall be severally liable to be indicted therefor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be liable to a fine not ex- ceeding $2,000 and he imprisoned on exceeding one year,

Sec. 3.-And be it further enacted.-That if any citizen or citizens of the United States shall, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, take on board of any vessel, or receive or transport any such persons as are above described in this act, for the purpose of disposing of them as aforesaid, he or they shall be liable to be indicted therefor, and on conviction thereof, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $2,000 and be imprisoned not exceeding one year.

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Sec. 4.—And be it further enacted. That 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 such person as passenger on bsard Provided, however, That a permit or certificate shall be prepared and sign- ed by the consul or consular agent of the United States residing 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, which cer- tificate shall be given to the master of such vessel; but the name shall not be given until such consul or consular agent shall be first personally satisfied by evidence pro- duced of the truth of the facts therein contained:

Soc. 5. And be it further enacted. That all the provisions of the Act of Con. gress approved February 22, 1847, entitled "An Act to regulate the carriage of pas- sengers in merchant vessels," and all the provisions of the Congress approved March 3rd. 1849, entitled "An Act to extend the provisions of all laws now in force relat- ing to the carriage of passengers in merchant vessels and the regulation thereof," shall be extended, and shall apply to all vessels owned in whole or in part by citizens of the United States, and registered, enrolled, or licensed within the United States, propelled by wind or by steam, and to all masters thereof, carrying passengers or in- tending to carry passengers from any foreign port or place without the United States to any other foreign port or place without the United States: and that all penalties and forfeitures provided for in said Act shall apply to vessels and masters last afore-

said.

Sec. 6-And be it further enacted, that the President of the United States shall be, and he is hereby authorized and empowered, is such way and at such time as he shall judge proper to the end that the provisions of this Act may be enforced accor- ding to the true intent and meaning thereof, to direct and order the vessels of the United States. and the masters and commanders thereof, to examine all vessels na- vigated or owned in whole or in part by citizens of the United States, wherever they may be, whenever. in the judgment of such master or commanding 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 as "coolies," for the purpose of transportation; and upon sufficient proof that such vessel is employed in violation of the provisions of this Act, to cause such vessel to be carried, with officers and crew, into any port or district, within the United States and delivered to the Marshal of such district, to be held and disposed of according to the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 7.—And be it further enacted. That this Act shall take effect from and after six months from the day of its passage.

Approved, February 19th, 1862.