and entry of such ship or vessel, and her cargo, or any part thereof, and all persons concerned therein, shall be under and subject to the same rules, regulations, restrictions, penalties and provisions, as if the said ship or vessel had arrived at the port of her destination, and had there proceeded to the delivery of her cargo.
Officers of the customs not to be concerned in shipping or commerce.Sec. 86. And be it further enacted, That no officer of the customs, or other person employed under the authority of the United States, in the collection of the duties imposed by law on goods, wares or merchandise imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels, shall own, either in whole or in part, any ship or vessel, or act as agent, attorney, or consignee for the owner or owners of any ship or vessel, or of any cargo or lading on board the same; nor shall any officers of the customs, or other person employed in the collection of the duties as aforesaid, import, or be concerned directly or indirectly in the importation of any goods, wares or merchandise, for sale, into the United States, on penalty that every person so offending, and being thereof convicted, shall forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred dollars.
They may buy or dispose of public funds.
Act of May 8, 1792, ch. 37.Sec. 87. And be it further enacted, That so much of the twelfth section of an act, entitled “An act making alterations in the treasury and war departments,” as restricts all officers of the United States, employed in the collection of the duties imposed by law on goods, wares and merchandise imported into the United States, and on the tonnage of ships or vessels, from buying or disposing of the funds or debts of the United States, or of any state, be repealed.
Penalty on their receiving a bribe to connive at a false entry, or conniving at such entry.
Penalty on giving or offering such a bribe.
False swearing to be punished as perjury.Sec. 88. And be it further enacted, That if any officer of the customs shall directly or indirectly take or receive any bribe, reward or recompense, for conniving, or shall connive at any false entry of any ship or vessel, or of any goods, wares or merchandise, and shall be convicted thereof, every such officer or other person shall forfeit and pay a sum not less than two hundred, nor more than two thousand dollars for each offence; and any person giving or offering any bribe, recompense or reward for any such deception, collusion, or fraud, shall forfeit and pay a sum not less than two hundred dollars, nor more than two thousand dollars, for each offence; and in all cases where an oath or affirmation is by this act required from a master or other person having the command of a ship or vessel, or from an owner or consignee of any goods, wares and merchandise, his, her, or their factor, or agent, and generally whenever an oath or affirmation is required from any person or persons, whatsoever, by virtue of this act, if the person so swearing or affirming shall swear, or affirm falsely, such person shall, on indictment and conviction thereof, be liable to the same pains and penalties prescribed for persons convicted of wilful and corrupt perjury.
Penalties how to be sued for.Sec. 89. And be it further enacted, That all penalties, accruing by any breach of this act, shall be sued for, and recovered with costs of suit, in the name of the United States of America, in any court competent to try the same; and the trial of any fact, which may be put in issue, shall be within the judicial district in which any such penalty shall have accrued, and the collector, within whose district the seizure shall be made, or forfeiture incurred, is hereby enjoined to cause suits for the same to be commenced without delay, and prosecuted to effect; and is moreoverCollectors authorized to receive penalties when recovered. authorized to receive from the court within which such trial is had, or from the proper officer thereof, the sum or sums so recovered, after deducting all proper charges to be allowed by the said court, and on receipt thereof the said collector shall pay and distribute the same without delay, according to law, and transmit quarter yearly to the treasury an account of all monies by him received for fines, penalties and forfeitures, during such quarter.Manner of proceeding to the condemnation. And all ships or vessels, goods, wares or merchandise, which shall become forfeited in virtue of this act, shall be seized, libelled and prosecuted as aforesaid, in the pro-
