United States Statutes at Large/Volume 2/11th Congress/2nd Session/Chapter 19
Chap. XIX.—An Act to prevent the issuing of sea letters except to certain vessels.
To what vessels sea letters, &c. &c. may be granted, after June 30, 1810.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the thirtieth of June next, no sea letter or other document certifying or proving any ship or vessel to the property of a citizen or citizens of the United States, shall be issued except to ships or vessels duly registered, or enrolled and licensed as ships or vessels of the United States, or to vessels which at that time shall be wholly owned by citizens of the United States, and furnished with or entitled to sea letters or other custom-house documents, any law or laws heretofore passed to the contrary No sea letter to issue to any vessel unless such vessel return to the U. States before 30th June next.
Proviso in favour of vessels detained abroad by any foreign power.notwithstanding: Provided nevertheless, that no sea letter shall be issued to any vessel which shall not at this time be furnished or entitled to a sea letter, unless such vessel shall return to some port or place in the United States or territories thereof on or before the said thirtieth day of June next: Provided nevertheless, that no sea letter or other document, certifying or proving any ship or vessel to be the property of a citizen or citizens of the United States, shall be issued to any vessel now abroad, which shall not at this time be furnished or entitled to a sea letter, unless such vessel shall arrive at some port or place in the United States or territories thereof, on or before the said thirtieth day of June next; and provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to operate against any such vessel or vessels that now are, or may be, prior to the said thirtieth of June, detained abroad by the authority of any foreign power.
Approved, March 26, 1810.