170 THIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS. Sess. II. Ch. 81. 1853. Feb. 26, 1858. Crnr. LXXXI.-· An Act to prevent Frauds upon the Treasury of the United Slam. . `_U—__` Be it enacted by the Senate and Ifmse of Representatives of the United Q Tmmfm of States of rimerica in Congress assembled, That all transfers and assign- ` claims on United ments hereafter made of any claim upon the United States, or any part , $**-***1 h°" md or share thereof, or interest therein, whether absolute or conditional, and ‘ wh°° °g°d' whatever may be the consideration therefor, and all powers of attorney, orders, or other authorities for receiving payment of any such claim, or any part or share thereof, shall be absolutely null and void, unless the same shall be freely made and executed in the presence of at least two attesting witnesses, after the allowance of such claim, the ascertainment of the amount due, and the issuing of a warrant for the payment thereof. Omcm &c_ Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That any officer of the United forbidden do bé States, or person holding any place of trust or profit, or discharging any i¤*9¤*¤**=d in official function under, or in connection with, any executive department g}§;:g,‘g_°°tf°r of the Government of the United States, or under the Senate or House of Representatives of the United States, who, after the passage of this act, shall act as an agent or attorney for prosecuting any claim against the United States, or shall in any manner, or by any means, otherwise than in the discharge of his proper official duties, aid or assist in the prosecution or support of any such claim or claims, or shall receive any gratuity, or any share of or interest in any claim from any claimant against the United States, with intent to aid or assist, or in consideration of having aided or assisted, in the prosecution of such claim, shall be liap,,,,,],,_ ble to indictment, as for a misdemeanor, in any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, and, on conviction, shall pay a time not exceeding five thousand dollars, or suffer imprisonment in the penitentiary not exceeding oneyear, or both, as the court in its discretion shall adjudge. Mmbm of Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That any Senator or Representactm su also five in Congress who, after the passage of this act, shall, for compensa-
- °¤`bl%<l°¤¤· tion paid or to be paid, certain or contingent, act as agent or attomey
for prosecuting any claim or claims against the United States, or shall in any manner or by any means for such compensation aid or assist in the prosecution or support of any such claim or claims, or shall receive any gratuity, or any share of or interest in any claim from any claimant against the United States, with intent to aid or assist, or in consideration of having aided or assisted in the prosecution of such claim, shall be liable to indictment as for a misdemeanor in any court of the United States Penalty. having jurisdiction thereof, and, on conviction, shall pay a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, or suffer imprisonment in the penitentiary no; exceeding one year, or both, as the court in its discretion shall ad· Ju 8**- peumy ,-0, d,. Seo. 4. And be it further enacted, That any person who shall wilfully ¤¤Ei¤£L&<>·,¤‘¤· and knowingly destroy, or attempt to destroy, or with intent to steal or °° ’destroy, shall take and carry away any record, paper, or proceeding of a court ofjusticc, filed or deposited with any clerk or officer of such court, or any paper or document or record filed or deposited in any public office, or with any judicial or public officer, shall, without reference to the value of the record, paper, document, or proceeding, so taken, be deemed guilty of felony, and on conviction in any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall pay a une not exceeding two thousand dollars, or suffer imprisonment in a penitentiary not exceeding three years, or both, as the court in its discretion hall adjudge. Same subject. Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That any officer having the custody of any record, document, paper, or proceeding specified in the last preceding section of this act, who shall fraudulently take away, or withdraw, or destroy any such record, document, paper, or proceeding tiled in his office or deposited with him, or in his custody, shall be deemed guilty of
