Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 2.djvu/462

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

ships and three sections, shall be appropriated and vested, for the purposes aforesaid, only on condition that the legislature of the state of Ohio shall, within one year after the passing of this act, pass a law accepting the said eighteen quarter townships and three sections,Legislature of Ohio to accept this grant in lieu of the part of the Virginia military reservation. for the purpose aforesaid, in lieu of the thirty-sixth part of the tract commonly called “the Virginia military reservation,” heretofore appropriated and vested by law for the use of schools within the same; and releasing to the United States, all their claim, right, title, and interest, and all the right, title and interest of the inhabitants of the tract of land last mentioned, to the thirty-sixth part1803, ch. 21. of the said tract heretofore appropriated and vested by law for the use of schools within the same. And if the legislature of the said state shall not pass a law as aforesaid, within one year after the passing of this act, the said eighteen quarter townships and three sections shall not be considered and held as appropriated and vested for the purposes aforesaid, but shall be disposed of in the same manner as is or may be provided by law, for the disposal of other public lands in the same tract.

Approved, March 2, 1807.

Statute ⅠⅠ.



March 2, 1807.

Chap. XXII.An Act to prohibit the importation of Slaves into any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight.[1]

Act of March 22, 1794, ch. 11.
Act of May 10, 1800, ch. 51.
Act of Feb. 28, 1803, ch. 10.
Act of April 20, 1818, ch. 83.
Act of Mary 15, 1820, ch. 112.
Importation of slaves into U. S. forbidden after Jan. 1, 1808.
Forfeiture of vessels fitted out for the slave trade after Jan. 1, 1808.
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 January, one thousand eight hundred and eight, it shall not be lawful to import or bring into the United States or the territories thereof from any foreign kingdom, place, or country, any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, with intent to hold, sell, or dispose of such negro, mulatto, or person of colour, as a slave, or to be held to service or labour.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That no citizen or citizens of the United States, or any other person, shall, from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, for himself, or themselves, or any other person whatsoever, either as master, factor, or owner, build, fit, equip, load or otherwise prepare any ship or vessel, in any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States, nor shall cause any ship or vessel to sail from any port or place within the same, for the purpose of procuring any negro, mulatto, or person of colour, from any foreign kingdom, place, or country, to be transported to any port or place whatsoever, within the jurisdiction of the United States, to be held, sold, or disposed of as slaves, or to be held to service or labour: and if any ship or vessel shall be so fitted out for the purpose aforesaid, or shall be caused to sail so as aforesaid, every such ship or vessel, her tackle, apparel, and furniture, shall be forfeited to the United States, and shall be liable to be seized, prosecuted, and condemned in any of the circuit courts or district courts, for the district where the said ship or vessel may be found or seized.

Penalties for being engaged in such expeditions.Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That all and every person so building, fitting out, equipping, loading, or otherwise preparing or sending away, any ship or vessel, knowing or intending that the same shall be employed in such trade or business, from and after the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and eight, contrary to the true intent and meaning of this act, or any ways aiding or abetting therein, shall severally forfeit and pay twenty thousand dollars, one moiety thereof to the use of the United States, and the other moiety to the use of any person or persons who shall sue for and prosecute the same to effect.

Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, If any citizen or citizens of the