Indian or Indians, belonging to any nation or tribe of Indians in amity with the United States, such offender, on being thereof convicted, shall suffer death. Traders to SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That no such citizen, or other person, shall be permitted to reside at any of the towns, or hunting- have licenses. camps, of any of the Indian tribes as a trader, without a license under the hand and seal of the superintendent of the department, or of such other person as the President of the United States shall authorize to grant licenses for that purpose: which superintendent, or person authorized, shall, on application, issue such license, for a term not exceeding two years, who shall enter into bond, with one or more sureties, approved of by the superintendent, or person issuing such license, or by the President of the United States, in the penal sum of one thousand dollars, conditioned for the true and faithful observance of such regulations and restrictions, as are, or shall be made for the government of trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes: and the superintendent, or person issuing such license, shall have full power and authority to recall the same, if the person so licensed shall transgress any of the regulations or restrictions provided for the government of trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes; and shall put in suit, such bonds as he may have taken, on the breach of any condition therein contained. of SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That any such citizen or other person, who shall attempt to reside in any town, or hunting camp, any of the Indian tribes, as a trader without such license, shall forfeit all the merchandise offered for sale, to the Indians, or found in his possession, and shall, moreover, be liable to a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, and to imprisonment not exceeding thirty days. SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That if any such citizen, or other person, shall purchase, or receive of any Indian, in the way of trade or barter, a gun, or other article commonly used in hunting, any instrument of husbandry, or cooking utensil, of the kind usually obtained by the Indians, in their intercourse with white people, or any article of clothing, excepting skins or furs, he shall forfeit a sum not exceeding fifty dollars, and be imprisoned not exceeding thirty days. SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That no such citizen or other person, shall be permitted to purchase any horse of an Indian, or of any white man in the Indian territory, without special license for that purpose; which license, the superintendent, or such other person as the President shall appoint, is hereby authorized to grant, on the same terms, conditions and restrictions, as other licenses are to be granted under this act: and any such person, who shall purchase a horse or horses, under such license, before he exposes such horse or horses for sale, and within fifteen days after they have been brought out of the Indian country, shall make a particular return to the superintendent, or other person, from whom he obtained his license, of every horse purchased by him, as aforesaid; describing such horses, by their colour, height, and other natural or artificial marks, under the penalty contained in their respective bonds. And every such person, purchasing a horse or horses, as aforesaid, in the Indian country, without a special license, shall, for every horse thus purchased, and brought into any settlement of citizens of the United States, forfeit a sum not exceeding one hundred dollars, and be imprisoned not exceeding thirty days. And every person, who shall purchase a horse, knowing him to be brought out of the Indian territory, by any person or persons, not licensed, as above, to purchase the same, shall forfeit the value of such horse. SEC. 11. And be it further enacted, That no agent, superintendent, or other person authorized to grant a license to trade, or purchase horses, shall have any interest or concern in any trade with the Indians, or in the purchase or sale of any horse, to or from any Indian, excepting Purchases of Indian lands to be sold only by treaty. Penalty on treating without authority. Presents to the them. for, and on account of the United States. And any person offending herein, shall forfeit a sum not exceeding one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned not exceeding twelve months. SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That no purchase, grant, lease, or other conveyance of lands, or of any title or claim thereto, from any Indian, or nation or tribe of Indians, within the bounds of the United States, shall be of any validity, in law or equity, unless the same be made by treaty, or convention, entered into pursuant to the constitution : and it shall be a misdemeanor in any person, not employed under the authority of the United States, to negotiate such treaty or convention directly or indirectly, to treat with any such Indian nation, or tribe of Indians, for the title or purchase of any lands by them held, or claimed, punishable by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, and imprisonment not exceeding twelve months: Provided nevertheless, that it shall be lawful for the agent or agents of any state, who may be present at any treaty held with Indians, under the authority of the United States, in the presence, and with the approbation of the commissioner or commissioners of the United States, appointed to hold the same, to propose to, and adjust with the Indians, the compensation to be made, for their claims to lands within such state, which shall be extinguished by the treaty. SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That in order to promote civiliIndians-agents zation among the friendly Indian tribes, and to secure the continuance to reside among of their friendship, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to cause them to be furnished with useful domestic animals, and implements of husbandry, and with goods or money, as he shall judge proper, and to appoint such persons, from time to time, as temporary agents, to reside among the Indians, as he shall think fit: Provided, that the whole amount of such presents, and allowance to such agents, shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars per annum. Proceedings on offences committed by Indians. SEC. 14. And be it further enacted, That if any Indian or Indians, belonging to any tribe in amity with the United States, shall come over or across the said boundary line, into any state or territory inhabited by citizens of the United States, and there take, steal or destroy any horse, horses, or other property, belonging to any citizen or inhabitant of the United States, or of either of the territorial districts of the United States, or shall commit any murder, violence or outrage, upon any such citizen, or inhabitant, it shall be the duty of such citizen or inhabitant, his representative, attorney or agent, to make application to the superintendent, or such other person as the President of the United States shall authorize for that purpose; who, upon being furnished with the necessary documents and proofs, shall, under the direction or instruction of the President of the United States, make application to the nation or tribe, to which such Indian or Indians shall belong, for satisfaction; and if such nation or tribe shall neglect or refuse to make satisfaction, in a reasonable time, not exceeding eighteen months, then it shall be the duty of such superintendent, or other person authorized, as aforesaid, to make return of his doings to the President of the United States, and forward to him all the documents and proofs in the case, that such further steps may be taken, as shall be proper to obtain satisfaction for the injury: And, in the mean time, in respect to the property so taken, stolen, or destroyed, the United States guarantee to the party injured, an eventual indemnification: Provided always, that if such injured party, his representative, attorney, or agent, shall, in any way, violate any of the provisions of this act, by seeking, or attempting to obtain private satisfaction or revenge, by crossing over the line, on any of the Indian lands, he shall forfeit all claim upon the United States, for such indemnification: And provided also, that nothing herein contained shall prevent the legal apprehension or arresting, within the limits of any state or district, of any Indian having so offended: And provided further, that it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to deduct such sum or sums, as shall be paid for the property taken, stolen or destroyed by any such Indian, out of the annual stipend, which the United States are bound to pay to the tribe, to which such Indian shall belong. Jurisdiction of in. SEC. 15. And be it further enacted, That the superior courts in each of the said territorial districts, and the circuit courts, and other courts the courts hereof the United States, of similar jurisdiction in criminal causes, in each district of the United States, in which any offender against this act shall be apprehended, or, agreeably to the provisions of this act, shall be brought for trial, shall have, and are hereby invested with, full power and authority, to hear and determine all crimes, offences and misdemeanors, against this act; such courts proceeding therein, in the same manner, as if such crimes, offences and misdemeanors had been committed within the bounds of their respective districts: And in all cases, where the punishment shall not be death, the county courts of quarter sessions in the said territorial districts, and the district courts of the United States in their respective districts, shall have, and are hereby invested with like power to hear and determine the same, any law to the contrary notwithstanding: And in all cases, where the punishment shall be death, it shall be lawful for the governor of either of the territorial districts, where the offender shall be apprehended, or into which he shall be brought for trial, to issue a commission of oyer and terminer, to the superior judges of such district, who shall have full power and authority to hear and determine all such capital cases, in the same manner, as the superior courts of such district have in their ordinary sessions: And when the offender shall be apprehended, or brought for trial, into any of the United States, except Kentucky, it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to issue a like commission to any one or more judges of the supreme court of the United States, and the judge of the district, in which such offender may have been apprehended, or shall have been brought for trial; which judges, or any two of them, shall have the same jurisdiction in such capital cases, as the circuit court of such district, and shall proceed to trial and judgment, in the same manner, as such circuit court might or could do. And the district courts of Kentucky and Maine shall have jurisdiction of all crimes, offences and misdemeanors committed against this act, and shall proceed to trial and judgment, in the same manner, as the circuit courts of the United States. Commissions of oyer and ter. miner may be issued. Military may fenders. SEC. 16. And be it further enacted, That it shall be lawful for the military force of the United States, to apprehend every person, who apprehend ofshall, or may be found in the Indian country, over and beyond the said boundary line, between the United States and the said Indian tribes, in violation of any of the provisions or regulations of this act, and him or them immediately to convey, in the nearest convenient and safe route, to the civil authority of the United States, in some one of the three next adjoining states or districts, to be proceeded against, in due course of law: Provided, that no person, apprehended by military force, as aforesaid, shall be detained longer than ten days, after the arrest, and before removal. SEC. 17. And be it further enacted, That if any person, who shall be charged with a violation of any of the provisions or regulations of this act, shall be found within any of the United States, or either of the territorial districts of the United States, such offender may be there apprehended and brought to trial, in the same manner, as if such crime or offence had been committed within such state or district; and it shall be the duty of the military force of the United States, when called upon by the civil magistrate, or any proper officer, or other person duly VOL. I.-60 2 R2 Trial may be had where the found. offender is Military to aid the civil offi cers. Amount of fines and duration of imprison ment discretionary, &c. To whose use the forfeitures shall be. Certain trade and intercourse excepted. Certain roads excepted. The President may cause to be ascertained other boundary lines. Other acts repealed. Proviso. Limitation of this act. STATUTE I. May 27, 1796. Repealed by the 8th sec. of the Act of Feb. 25, 1799. ch. 12. STATUTE I. May 27, 1796. [Obsolete.] Compensation authorized for that purpose, and having a lawful warrant, to aid and assist such magistrate, officer, or other person authorized, as aforesaid, in arresting such offender, and him committing to safe custody, for trial according to law. SEC. 18. And be it further enacted, That the amount of fines, and duration of imprisonment, directed by this act as a punishment, for the violation of any of the provisions thereof, shall be ascertained and fixed, not exceeding the limits prescribed, in the discretion of the court, before whom the trial shall be had; and that all fines and forfeitures, which shall accrue under this act, shall be, one half to the use of the informant, and the other half to the use of the United States: Except where the prosecution shall be first instituted on behalf of the United States; in which case, the whole shall be to their use. SEC. 19. And be it further enacted, That nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent any trade or intercourse with Indians living on lands surrounded by settlements of the citizens of the United States, and being within the ordinary jurisdiction of any of the individual states; or the unmolested use of a road from Washington district, to Mero district; and of the navigation of the Tennessee river, as reserved and secured by treaty. SEC. 20. And be it further enacted, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized, to cause to be clearly ascertained, and distinctly marked, in all such places as he shall deem necessary, and in such manner as he shall direct, any other boundary lines between the United States and any Indian tribe, which now are, or hereafter may be established by treaty. SEC. 21. And be it further enacted, That all and every other act and acts, coming within the purview of this act, shall be, and they are hereby repealed: Provided, nevertheless, that all disabilities, that have taken. place, shall continue and remain; all penalties and forfeitures, that have been incurred, may be recovered; and all prosecutions and suits, that may have been commenced, may be prosecuted to final judgment, under the said act or acts, in the same manner, as if the said act or acts were continued, and in full force and virtue. SEC. 22. And be it further enacted, That this act shall be in force, for the term of two years, and from thence to the end of the session of Congress next thereafter, and no longer. APPROVED, May 19, 1796. CHAP. XXXI.-An Act relative to Quarantine.(a) Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized, to direct the revenue officers and the officers commanding forts and revenue cutters, to aid in the execution of quarantine, and also in the execution of the health laws of the states, respectively, in such manner as may to him appear necessary. APPROVED, May 27, 1796. CHAP. XXXII.-An Act altering the Compensation of the Accountant of the War Department. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives to the Accoun- of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there tant of the War shall hereafter be allowed to the Accountant of the Department of War, Department. the sum of one thousand six hundred dollars per annum, as a com (a) See an act respecting quarantine and health laws, passed February 25, 1799, chap, 12. pensation for his services, in lieu of the compensation heretofore allowed. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That all letters and packets to or from the Accountant of the department of War, shall be conveyed by post, free of postage, under such restrictions as are provided by law, in like cases. APPROVED, May 27, 1796. CHAP. XXXIII.-An Act respecting the Mint. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That there shall be appropriated for the purchase of copper for the further coinage of cents and half cents, a sum equal to the amount of the cents and half cents which shall have been coined at the mint, and delivered to the treasurer of the United States, subsequent to the first day of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, which sum shall be payable out of any monies in the treasury not otherwise appropriated. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That from and after the passing of this act, there shall be retained from every deposit in the mint, of gold or silver bullion below the standard of the United States, such sum as shall be equivalent to the expense incurred in refining the same, and an accurate account of such expense on every deposit shall be kept, and of the sums retained on account of the same, which shall be accounted for by the treasurer of the mint, to the treasurer of the United States. SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That this act shall continue in force for the term of two years from the passing thereof, and from thence until the end of the next session of Congress thereafter holden, and no longer. APPROVED, May 27, 1796. Privilege of franking. STATUTE I. May 27, 1796. [Expired.] Act of Jan. 14, 1793, ch. 2. of copper. Part of gold and silver bultained. lion to be re Limitation. STATUTE I. CHAP. XXXIV.—An Act altering the Sessions of the Circuit Courts in the Dis- May 27, 1796. tricts of Vermont and Rhode Island; and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the first day of June next, the circuit court, for the district of Vermont, shall be held at Rutland and Windsor, alternately, beginning with the former, on the seventh day of November, and on the twelfth day of May, annually: Provided, when either of those days shall be Sunday, the court shall be held on the day following. [Obsolete.] Time and place of holding of Vermont. the district court 1802, ch. 31. Fall session of of Rhode Island. SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the fall session of the circuit court, for the district of Rhode Island, shall be held on the nine- the circuit court teenth day of November, with the exception for Sunday, as is provided in the preceding section. SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the district court for the district last aforesaid, instead of the several days heretofore prescribed, shall be held annually, on the first Tuesday of August, the third Tuesday of November, the first Tuesday of February, and the second Tuesday of May. Times of hold. ing the district Island. Returns of SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That all writs and processes, of whatever name or description, which may have issued from either of the writs and processes, &c. courts before mentioned, or which shall hereafter issue, the return of which will be interrupted by this act, shall be returned to the terms of the courts, respectively, next succeeding the terms, to which they were made returnable: And the said writs and processes before mentioned, together with all matters and business depending before either of the courts before mentioned, shall be taken up and proceeded upon to final issue and determination, in the same manner, and to the same effect, as |