declared null and void. It is likewise a misdemeanor in the master of a vessel to bring or land within the United States, from any foreign port, such alien, foreign laborer, mechanic, artisan, who had entered into a contract or agreement, prior to sailing, to perform labor in the United States, punishable by fine or imprisonment, or both.
For every violation of the first section of this act, the person, partnership, company, or corporation, violating the same shall forfeit and pay for every such offence the sum of one thousand dollars, which may be recovered in the Circuit Court of the United States, etc.
The act does not apply, however, to the employment of skilled workmen in foreign countries, to perform labor in the United States upon any new industry not at present established here, nor to foreign professional actors, artists, lecturers, or singers, nor to persons employed strictly as personal or domestic servants.
Another important act of interest to many of the people of the United States provides for the ascertainment of claims of the American citizens for Spoilations committed by the French prior to the thirty-first day of July, eighteen hundred and one.
It authorizes the Court of Claims to take jurisdiction of all petitions filed by French spoilation claimants in that court within two years from the passage of the act; to investigate, hear, and determine the validity and ownership of the claims filed; and to report its finding of law and fact to Congress on the first Monday of December of each year. While this act does not provide for the absolute payment of all the claims reported upon favorably by the court, yet it is an official recognition by the Government of a debt due by the United States to may of its patriotic citizens for more than eighty years. They became creditors of their country at their country's request. They have knocked at the door of Congress for almost a century for recognition—but in vain. These original claimants have, for the most part, passed away!
