Penalties.person or persons so offending, shall forfeit and pay a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars, and shall also be liable to be bound to their good behaviour.
Entrance in our ports of any officer of a foreign armed vessel committing a trespass or tort upon vessels of the U. States on the high seas forbidden.
If found in the U. States contrary to the interdiction, how to be dealt with.Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That whensoever any officer of an armed vessel commissioned by any foreign power, shall on the high seas commit any trespass or tort, or any spoliation on board any vessel of the United States, or any unlawful interruption or vexation of trading vessels actually coming to or going from the United States, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, on satisfactory proof of the facts, by proclamation to interdict the entrance of the said officer, and of any armed vessel by him commanded within the limits of the United States, and if at any time after such proclamation made, he shall be found within the limits of the United States, he shall be liable therefor to be arrested, indicted and punished by fine and imprisonment, in any court in the United States, having competent jurisdiction, and it shall be a part of the sentence that he shall within such time after the payment of his fine and the expiration of his term of imprisonment, as the court shall direct, leave the United States, never to return. And if he shall return within the limits of the United States, after the passing of such sentence, or be found therein after the period limited by the court as aforesaid, he shall again be liable to be indicted, fined and imprisoned at the discretion of the court:To be liable to prosecution and punishment for other offences. Provided always, that if the said officer shall also have committed any other offence made punishable by this act, he shall be liable to prosecution and punishment; the provisions of this section to the contrary notwithstanding.
Collectors and marshals to be instructed touching the execution of this act.Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States shall be, and he is hereby authorized and required to give, as soon as may be, after the passage of this act, to the collectors of the respective districts, and to such other persons as he may think proper, the necessary instructions for carrying this act into effect, particularly marking out the line of conduct to be observed by the marshal, and the several collectors in performing the duties enjoined by this act.
This act may be given in evidence, &c.Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall be sued for any thing done in pursuance of, or in obedience to this act, he may plead the general issue and give this act in evidence, any law, custom or usage to the contrary, notwithstanding.
Limited to two years, and to the end of the next succeeding session of Congress.Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That this act shall continue in force for the term of two years, and from thence to the end of the next session of Congress, and no longer.
Approved, March 3, 1805.
Statute ⅠⅠ.
[Expired.]
Chap. XLII.—An Act to regulate the clearance of armed merchant vessels.
