CHAPTER I.--An Act to continue in force certain laws of the United States of America.

February 9, 1861.

        Certain laws of the United States continued in force.

        Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That all the laws of the United States of America in force and in use in the Confederate States of America on the first day of November last, and not inconsistent with the Constitution of the Confederate States, be and the same are hereby continued in force until altered or repealed by the Congress.

ADOPTED February 9, 1861.

CHAP. II.--An Act to continue in office the Officers connected with the Collection of the Customs in the Confederate States of America.

February 14, 1861.

        Custom House officers and assistant treasurers, continued in office.

        See resolution of Feb. 14, 1861.

        Their salaries, fees etc.

        Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the several officers who, at the time of the adoption of the Constitution of the Provisional Government of these states, held and exercised any office connected with the collection of the customs, duties and imposts in the several states of this Confederacy, or as assistant treasurers entrusted with keeping the moneys arising therefrom, are hereby appointed to the several offices which at the said date they respectively held; and they shall have the same powers, be subject to the same duties, and be entitled to the same salaries, fees and emoluments as are set forth and provided in and by the laws of the United States of America, until the first day of April next: Provided, That the maximum of compensation which each collector shall receive from all sources shall not exceed the rate of five thousand dollars per annum.

        To execute bond.

        SEC. 2. Each collector so appointed shall, within two weeks from the date of this act, execute to the Confederate States of America a bond in the same amount and subject to a like condition with his last bond to the United States of America, with sureties to be approved by a judge of any superior or circuit court of the state where such collector is located. And each of the other officers shall, within one week after the collector shall have entered upon the discharge of his duties, execute to the Confederate States of America a bond in the same amount and subject to the like condition with his last bond to the United States of America, (in case he was required to execute a bond,) with sureties to be approved by the collector of the port where such office is located.

        And take certain oaths.

        Where bond to be filed.

        SEC. 3. The said several officers shall take an oath before a magistrate, well and faithfully to discharge the duties of his office, and to support the constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America; which said oath shall be endorsed upon the bond; and the bond shall be filed in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury, or in such other place as he may direct.

ADOPTED February 14, 1861.

CHAP. III.--An Act to exempt from duty certain commodities therein named, and for other purposes.

February 18, 1861.

        Articles exempt from duty.

        Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the following articles shall be exempt from duty and admitted free into said states, to wit: Bacon, pork, hams, lard, beef, fish of all kinds, wheat and flour of wheat and flour of all other grains, Indian corn and meal, barley and barley flour, rye and rye flour, oats and oat meal, gunpowder and all the materials of which it is made, lead in all forms, arms of every description, and munitions of war and military accoutrements, percussion caps, living animals of all kinds; also all agricultural products in their natural state.

        Goods imported from any one of the late U. S. not a member of the C. S. exempt from duty.

        SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That all goods, wares and merchandise imported from any one of the late United States of America, not being now a member of this Confederacy, into this Confederacy, before the fourth day of March next, which may have been bona fide purchased heretofore, or within ten days after the passage of this act, shall be exempt and free from duty.

        State of Texas exempted from operation of the tariff.

        SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the State of Texas be and is hereby exempted from the operation of the tariff laws heretofore passed and adopted by this Congress.

ADOPTED February 18, 1861.

CHAP. IV.--An Act to provide Munitions of War, and for other purposes.

February 20, 1861.

        Contracts for the purchase, manufacture and alteration of arms, authorized.

        Agents and artisans may be employed.

        SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, That the President, or the Secretary of War, under his direction, is hereby authorized and empowered to make contracts for the purchase and manufacture of heavy ordnance and small arms; and of machinery for the manufacture or alteration of small arms and munitions of war, and to employ the necessary agents and artisans for these purposes; and to make contracts for the establishment of powder mills and the manufacture of powder; and the President is authorized

to make contracts provided for in this act, in such manner and on such terms as in his judgment the public exigencies may require.

APPROVED February 20, 1861.

CHAP. V.--An to authorize the President to appoint a Private Secretary.

February 20, 1861.

        President authorized to appoint a private Secretary.

        His compensation.

        See Acts March 7, 1861, and May 21, 1861.

        Be it enacted by the Confederate States of America in Congress assembled, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the President of the Confederate States of America be and he is hereby authorized to appoint a private secretary, through whom he may communicate with Congress, and who shall discharge such duties as may be assigned him by the President, and shall receive such compensation for his services as shall be fixed by law.

APPROVED February 20, 1861.

CHAP. VI.--An Act to determine the Salaries of the Vice President and of the Heads of Departments.

February 21, 1861.

        Salaries of the Vice President and Heads of the Departments.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the annual compensation of the Vice President, and of the Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of War, of the Navy, the Postmaster General, and the Attorney General, shall be at the rate of six thousand dollars, payable quarterly in advance.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

CHAP. VII.--An Act to organize the Department of State.

February 21, 1861.

        State Department organized.

        Duties of Secretary of State.

        By whom appointed; his compensation.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That there shall be an executive department, to be denominated the Department of State; and there shall be a principal officer therein, to be called the Secretary of State, who shall perform and execute such duties as shall from time to time be enjoined on or entrusted to him by the President of the Confederate States, agreeably to the Constitution, relative to correspondences, commissions or instructions to or with public ministers or consuls from the Confederate States, or to negotiations with public ministers from foreign states or princes, or to memorials or other applications from foreign public ministers and other foreigners, or to such other matters respecting foreign affairs as the President of the Confederate States shall assign to the said department; and, furthermore, the said principal officer shall conduct the business of the said department in such manner as the President of the Confederate States shall from time to time order or instruct. Said Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, and shall receive a compensation to be ascertained and regulated by law.

        To keep and preserve the laws.

        This clause repealed. See Act of Aug. 5, 1861. Sections 1, 2, 3.

        And publish the same.

        To keep and affix the seal of the C. S.

        To cause a seal to be made for his Department; authentication of records under said seal.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to keep and preserve all bills and resolutions of the Congress having been approved or signed by the President, or otherwise become laws; and he shall carefully preserve the originals, and shall, as soon as conveniently may be after he shall receive the same, cause every such law, order and resolution to be published, in at least three public newspapers published within the Confederate States, and shall also cause two printed copies, duly authenticated. to be sent to the executive authority of each state. It shall be the duty of the secretary to

keep the great seal of the Confederate States, and to make out and record and affix said seal to all civil commissions to officers of the Confederate States to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice of the Congress, or by the President alone: Provided, That said seal shall not be affixed to any commission before it is signed by the President, nor to any other instrument or act without the special warrant of the President therefor. The said secretary shall also cause a seal of office to be made for said department, of such device as the President shall approve; and all copies of records and papers in said office, authenticated under the said seal, shall be evidence equally as the original record or paper.

        Clerks in State Department; their compensation, and oath of office.

        SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That there shall be in the said department a chief clerk, to be appointed by the secretary, and such other clerks as from time to time may be found necessary and authorized by the Congress, who shall receive a compensation for their services to be fixed by law: and the Secretary of State, and every other person to be appointed or employed in said department, shall, before he enters on the execution of his office or employment, take an oath or affirmation well and faithfully to execute the trust committed to him.

        Fees of office.

        SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, There shall be paid to the secretary, for the use of the Confederate States, the following fees of office, by the persons requiring the services to be performed, except when they are performed for any officer of the Confederate States in a matter relating to the duties of his office, to-wit: For making out and authenticating copies of records, ten cents for each hundred words; for authenticating a copy of a record or paper, under the seal of office, one dollar.

        SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, This act shall be in force and take effect from and after its passage.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

CHAP. VIII.--An Act to establish the Treasury Department.

February 21, 1861.

        Treasury Department established.

        Officers in said Department.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That there shall be an executive department known as the Department of Treasury, in which shall be the following officers, namely: A Secretary of the Treasury, to be deemed the head of the department; a Comptroller, an Auditor, a Register, a Treasurer, and an Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury, which assistant shall be appointed by the said Secretary; all of which officers shall receive such salaries, respectively, as may be provided by law.

        Duties of Secretary of the Treasury.

        SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Treasury to superintend the collection of the public revenue; to digest and prepare plans for the improvement and management thereof, and for the support of the public credit; to prepare and report estimates of the public revenue and the public expenditures; to decide on the forms of keeping and stating accounts and making returns, and to grant, under the limitations herein established or to be hereafter provided, all warrants for moneys to be paid into the Treasury, and all warrants for moneys to be issued from the Treasury, in pursuance of appropriations by law; to execute such services relative to the sale of the public property belonging to the Confederate States as by law may be required of him; to make reports and give information to the Congress or the President--in person or in writing, as may be required--concerning all matters referred to him by the Congress or the President, respectively, and which shall appertain to his office; and

generally to perform all such services relative to the finances, and all such other duties, as he may by law be directed to perform.

        May appoint clerks; their compensation.

        SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall have power to appoint a chief clerk, and also such other clerks, from time to time, as he may deem necessary, and Congress may authorize by law, which officers shall respectively receive such compensation as may be provided by law.

        Shall procure an official seal.

        Copies of records, &c., under seal received as evidence.

        SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall cause to be procured an official seal for the Department of Treasury, to be approved by the President; and copies of all official papers or records in said department, certified under the seal thereof, shall be received in evidence in all the courts of the Confederate States, in lieu of such original papers or records.

        Duties of Assistant Secretary of Treasury.

        SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to examine all letters, contracts, and warrants prepared for the signature of the Secretary of the Treasury, and perform all such other duties as may be devolved on him by law or by the Secretary of the Treasury.

        Duties of the Comptroller.

        SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Comptroller to superintend the adjustment and preservation of the public accounts; to examine all accounts settled by the Auditor, and certify the balances arising thereon to the Register; to countersign all warrants drawn by the Secretary of the Treasury which shall be authorized by law; to report to the Secretary the official forms of all papers to be issued in the different offices for collecting the public revenue, and the manner and form of keeping and stating the accounts of the several persons employed therein. He shall, moreover, provide for the regular and punctual payment of all moneys which may be collected, and shall direct prosecutions for all delinquencies of officers of the revenue, and for debts that are or shall be due to the Confederate States.

        Duties of the Auditor.

        SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Auditor to receive all public accounts, and after examination to certify the balance, and transmit the accounts, with the vouchers and certificate, to the Comptroller for his decision thereon: Provided, That if any person whose account shall be so audited be dissatisfied therewith, he may appeal to the Comptroller against such settlement.

        Auditor may administer oaths.

        SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the Auditor of the public accounts shall be empowered to administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses, in any case in which he may deem it necessary or proper for the due examination of the accounts with which he may be charged.

        Duties of the Register.

        SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Register to keep all accounts of the receipts and expenditures of the public money, and of all debts due to or from the Confederate States; to receive from the Comptroller the accounts which shall have been finally adjusted, and to preserve such accounts, with their vouchers and certificates; to record all warrants for the receipt or payment of moneys at the Treasury, certify the same thereon, and to transmit to the Secretary of the Treasury copies of the certificates of balances of accounts adjusted as herein directed.

        Duties of the Treasurer.

        SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and keep the moneys of the Confederate States, and to disburse the same upon warrants drawn by the Secretary of the Treasury, countersigned by the Comptroller, and recorded by the Register, and not otherwise; he shall take receipts for all moneys paid by him, and all receipts for moneys received by him shall be endorsed upon warrants signed by the Secretary of the Treasury, without which warrant, so signed, no acknowledgement for money received into the public Treasury

shall be valid. And the said Treasurer shall render his accounts to the Comptroller quarterly, or oftener if required, and shall transmit a copy thereof, when settled, to the Secretary of the Treasury. He shall, at all times, submit to the Secretary of the Treasury and the Comptroller, or either of them, the inspection of the books and records in his office, and of all moneys in his hands; and shall, prior to entering upon the duties of his office, give bond, with good and sufficient sureties, to be approved by the Secretary of the Treasury and Comptroller, in the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, payable to the Confederate States of America, with condition for the faithful performance of the duties of his office, and for the fidelity of the persons to be by him employed, which bond shall be lodged in the office of the Comptroller.

        Prohibition upon persons appointed to office under this act.

        Penalty for breach of the prohibitions of the law.

        SEC. 11. And be it further enacted, That no person appointed to any office instituted by this act shall, directly, or indirectly, be concerned or interested as owner in whole or in part of any sea-vessel; or purchase, by himself or another in trust for him, any public property or forfeited goods; or be concerned in the purchase or disposal of any public Securities of any State or of the Confederate States; or take or apply to his own use any emolument or gain for negotiating or transacting any business in the said department, other than what shall be allowed by law. And if any person shall offend against any of the prohibitions of this act, he shall be guilty of a high misdemeanor, and forfeit to the Confederate States the penalty of three thousand dollars, and shall, upon conviction, be removed from office and forever thereafter be incapable of holding any office under the Confederate States: Provided, That if any other person than a public prosecutor shall give information of any such offence, upon which a prosecution and conviction shall be had, one-half of the aforesaid penalty of three thousand dollars, when recovered, shall be for the use of the person giving such information.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

CHAP. IX.--An Act to establish the War Department.

February 21, 1861.

        War Department established.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That an executive department be, and the same is hereby established, under the name of the War Department, the chief officer of which shall be called the Secretary of War.

        Duties of Secretary of War. To have charge of all matters connected with army and Indian Tribes.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That said Secretary shall, under the direction and control of the President, have charge of all matters and things connected with the army, and with the Indian tribes within the limits of the Confederacy, and shall perform such duties appertaining to the army, and to said Indian tribes, as may from time to time be assigned to him by the President.

        May appoint clerks.

        SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of said department is hereby authorized to appoint a chief clerk thereof, and as many inferior clerks as may be found necessary and may be authorized by law.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

CHAP. X.--An Act to establish the Navy Department.

February 21, 1861.

        Navy Department established.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That an executive department be, and the same is hereby established, to be called the Navy Department.

        Duties of the Secretary of the Navy.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the chief officer of said department shall be called the Secretary of the Navy, and shall, under the direction and control of the President, have charge of all matters and things connected with the Navy of the Confederacy, and shall perform all such duties appertaining to the navy as shall, from time to time, be assigned to him by the President.

        SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That said Secretary shall be authorized to appoint a chief clerk and such other clerks as may be found necessary and be authorized by law.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

CHAP. XI.--To establish the Post Office Department

February 21, 1861

        Post Office Department established.

        Duties of the Post-master General. His salary.

        May appoint clerks.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That there shall be an executive department, to be denominated the Post Office Department, and there shall be a principal officer therein, to be called the Postmaster General, who shall perform such duties in relation to post offices and post routes, as shall be enjoined on him by the President of the Confederate States, agreeably to the constitution and the laws of the land, who shall be paid an annual salary to be fixed by law, and have power to appoint a chief clerk and such inferior clerks as may be found necessary, who shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by law.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

CHAP. XII.--An Act to organize and establish an Executive Department to be known as the Department of Justices.

February 21, 1861.

        Department of Justice established.

        Salary of Attorney General.

        May appoint a clerk.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and after the passage of this act, there shall be an executive department, to be known as the Department of Justice. The principal officer at the head of said department shall be denominated the Attorney General, who shall be paid an annual salary to be fixed by law, and who shall have the power to appoint a clerk, at such compensation as may be fixed by law.

        Duties of the Attorney General.

        Supervisory power over accounts of marshals and officers of the courts.

        SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the Attorney General to prosecute and conduct all suits in the Supreme Court, in which the Confederate States shall be concerned, and to give his advice and opinion upon questions of law, when required by the President of the Confederate States, or when requested by any of the heads of departments, touching any matters that may concern their departments on subjects before them. He shall also have supervisory power over the accounts of the marshals, clerks and officers of all the courts of the Confederate States, and all claims against the Confederate States.

APPROVED February 21, 1861.

CHAP. XIII.--An Act to prescribe the Rates of Postage in the Confederate States of America, and for other purposes.

February 23, 1861.

        Rates of postage established.

        On single letters.

        What deemed a single letter.

        What packages rated by weight.

        Drop letters.

        Postage pre-paid by stamps.

        Additional postage on letters advertised.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and after such period as the Postmaster General may by proclamation announce, there shall be charged the following rates of postage, to-wit: For every single sealed letter, and for every letter in manuscript or paper of any kind, upon which information shall be asked for or communicated in writing, or by marks or signs, conveyed in the mail for any distance between places within the Confederate States of America, not exceeding five hundred miles, five cents; for distance exceeding five hundred miles, double that rate; and every letter or parcel not exceeding half an ounce in weight shall be deemed a single letter, and every additional weight of half an ounce, or additional weight of less than half an ounce, shall be charged with an additional single postage; and all packages containing other than printed or written matter--and money packages are included in this class--shall be rated by weight as letters are rated, and shall be charged double the rates of postage on letters; and all drop letters, or letters placed in any post-office not for transmission, but for delivery only, shall be charged with postage at the rate of two cents each; and in all the foregoing cases the postage must be pre-paid by stamps, and all letters which shall hereafter be advertised as remaining over or uncalled for in any post-office, shall be charged with two cents each in addition to the regular postage, both to be accounted for as other postages of this Confederacy.

        Postage on newspapers sent from the office of publication to subscribers.

        On periodicals so sent.

        On other newspapers and periodicals, circulars handbills, engravings, etc.

        On books, bound or unbound.

        Publishers may send publications to each other, free of postage.

        SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That all newspapers not exceeding three ounces in weight, sent from the office of publication to actual and bona fide subscribers, shall be charged with postage as follows, to-wit: The postage on the regular numbers of a newspaper published weekly, within the State where published, shall be six and one-half cents per quarter; and papers published semi-weekly, double that rate; and papers published thrice a week, treble that rate; and papers published daily, six times that rate; and the postage on all newspapers to actual subscribers without the State where published, shall be charged double the foregoing rates. And periodicals sent from the office of publication to actual and bona fide subscribers, shall be charged with postage as follows, to wit: The postage on the regular numbers of a periodical not exceeding one and a half ounces in weight and published monthly, within the State where published, shall be three cents per quarter; if published semi-monthly, double that rate; and for every additional ounce or fraction of an ounce, double the foregoing rates shall be charged; and periodicals published quarterly or bi-monthly shall be charged one cent an ounce; and the postage on all periodicals without the State where published shall be double the above specified rates; and regular subscribers to newspapers and periodicals shall be required to pay one quarter's postage in advance. And there shall be charged upon every other newspaper, and each circular not sealed, handbill, engraving, pamphlet, periodical and magazine, which shall be unconnected with any manuscript or written matter, not exceeding three ounces in weight, two cents; and for each additional ounce or fraction of an ounce, two cents additional; and in all cases the postage shall be prepaid by stamps. And books, bound or unbound, not weighing over four pounds, shall be deemed mailable matter, and shall be charged with postage, to be pre paid by stamps, at two cents an ounce for any distance. The publishers of newspapers or periodicals may send to each other, from their respective offices of publication, free of postage, one copy of each publication.

        Deputy postmasters, and other persons, to be furnished with postage stamps and stamped envelopes.

        Penalty for forging or counterfeiting postage stamps.

        Or for making, using or possessing, forged or counterfeited dies, plates, etc.

        Or for delivering postage stamps without authority.

        SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the Postmaster General to provide and furnish to all deputy postmasters, and to all other persons applying and paying therefor, suitable postage stamps and stamped envelopes, of the denomination of two cents, five cents, and twenty cents, to facilitate the pre-payment of postages provided for in this act; and any person who shall forge or counterfeit any postage stamp provided or furnished under the provisions of this or any former act, whether the same are impressed or printed on or attached to envelopes or not, or any die, plate, or engraving therefor, or shall make or print, or knowingly use or sell, or have in his possession, with intent to use or sell, any such false, forged or counterfeited die, plate, engraving or postage stamp, or who shall make or print, or authorize or procure to be made or printed, any postage stamps of the kind provided and furnished by the Postmaster General as aforesaid, without the especial authority and direction of the Post Office Department, or who, after such postage stamps have been printed, shall, with intent to defraud the revenues of the Post Office Department, deliver any postage stamps to any person or persons, other than such as shall be authorized to receive the same by an instrument of writing, duly executed under the hand of the Postmaster General and the seal of the Post office Department, shall, on conviction thereof, be deemed guilty of felony, and be punished by a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding five years, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and the expenses of procuring and providing all such postage stamps and letter envelopes as are provided for or authorized by this act, shall be paid, after being adjusted by the Auditor of the Post-Office Department, on the certificate of the Postmaster General, out of any money in the treasury arising from the revenues of the Post Office Department.

        Postmasters to deface postage stamps attached to letters.

        Penalty for omission.

        Penalty for using postage stamps that had been before used.

        SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of every postmaster to cause to be defaced, in such manner as the Postmaster General shall direct, all postage stamps of this Confederacy attached to letters deposited in his office for delivery, or to be sent by mail; and if any postmaster sending letters in the mail, with such postage stamps attached, shall omit to deface the same, it shall be the duty of the postmaster, to whose office such letter shall be sent for delivery, to deface the stamps and report the delinquent postmaster to the Postmaster General. And if any person shall use or attempt to use in pre-payment of postage any postage stamps which shall have been before used for like purposes, such person shall be subject to a penalty of fifty dollars for every such offence, to be recovered in the name of the Confederate States of America in any court of competent jurisdiction.

        Franking privilege abolished.

        Exception in favor of certain officers in the Postoffice Department

        and deputy postmasters.

        Penalty on these officers for making false endorsements on letters, etc.

        SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That from and after the day when this act goes into effect the franking privilege shall be abolished: Provided, That the Postmaster General and his chief clerks and Auditor of the Treasury for the Post Office Department shall be and they are hereby authorized to transmit through the mail, free of postage, any letters, packages or other matters relating exclusively to their official duties or to the business of the Post Office Department; but they shall, in every such case, endorse on the back of the letter or package to be sent free of postage, over their own signatures, the words "Official Business." And for any such endorsement falsely made, the person so offending shall forfeit and pay three hundred dollars. And provided further, The several deputy postmasters throughout the Confederate States shall be and hereby are authorized to send through the mail, free of postage, all letters and packages which it may be their duty or they may have occasion to transmit to any person or place, and which shall relate

exclusively to the business of their respective offices or to the business of the Post Office Department but in every such case the deputy postmaster sending any such letter or package shall endorse thereon, over his own signature, the words "Post Office Business," and for any and every such endorsement falsely made, the person making the same shall forfeit and pay three hundred dollars.

        Act establishing letter registration system, repealed.

        SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That the third section of an act entitled "An act further to amend an act entitled 'An act to reduce and modify the rates of postage in the United States, and for other purposes, passed March third, eighteen hundred and fifty-one,' " approved March 3d, 1855, whereby the letter registration system was established, be and is hereby repealed, from and after the day when this act goes into effect.

        Express and other chartered companies prohibited from carrying letters unless postage pre-paid.

        Penalty for violation.

        SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That no letters shall be carried by the express or other chartered companies, unless the same shall be pre-paid by being enclosed in a stamped envelope of this Confederacy; and any company violating the provisions of this act shall forfeit and pay the sum of five hundred dollars for each offence, to be recovered by action of debt in any court of this Confederacy having cognizance thereof, in the name and for the use of this Confederacy.

        Transmission of mails between the territories.

        SEC. 8. Be it further enacted, That the Postmaster General of the Confederate States be and is hereby authorized to make all necessary arrangements for the transmission of mails between the territories of this and other governments, subject to the approval of the President, until postal treaties can be effected.

APPROVED February 23, 1861.

CHAP. XIV. -- An Act to declare and establish the Free Navigation of the Mississippi River.

February 25, 1861.

        Navigation of the Mississippi river declared free.

        Regulations for vessels navigating the same.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the peaceful navigation of the Mississippi river is hereby declared free to the citizens of any of the States upon its borders, or upon the borders of its navigable tributaries; and all ships, boats, rafts or vessels may navigate the same, under such regulations as may be established by authority of law, or under such police regulations as may be established by the States within their several jurisdictions.

        Vessels entering said river within the limits of the Confederacy may pass to any place beyond said limits with their cargoes, without any duty, except light money, pilotage, &c; but not to sell or dispose of any part of cargo in this Confederacy.

        Penalty for violation; how received.

        Exception in favor of stranded or disabled vessels.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, All ships, boats, or vessels, which may enter the waters of the said river within the limits of this Confederacy, from any port or place beyond the said limits, may freely pass with their cargoes to any other port or place beyond the limits of this Confederacy without any duty or hindrance, except light money, pilotage, and other like charges; but it shall not be lawful for any such ship, boat, or vessel to sell, deliver, or in any way dispose of any part of her cargo, or land any portion thereof for the purpose of sale and delivery within the limits of this Confederacy; and in case any portion of such cargo shall be sold or delivered, or landed for that purpose, in violation of the provisions of this act, the same shall be forfeited, and shall be seized and condemned by a proceeding in admiralty before the court having jurisdiction of the same in the district in which the same may be found; and the ship, boat, or vessel shall forfeit four times the amount of the value of the duties chargeable on the said goods, wares, or merchandise so landed, sold, or disposed of in violation of the provisions of this act, to be recovered by a proper proceeding in admiralty before the said court, in the district in which such ship, boat, or vessel may be found,

one-half for the use of the collector of the district who shall institute and conduct such proceeding, the other half for the use of the Government of the Confederate States: Provided, That if any such ship, boat, or vessel shall be stranded, or from any cause become unable to proceed on its voyage, the cargo thereof may be landed and the same may be entered at the nearest port of entry, in the same manner as goods, wares, and merchandise regularly consigned to said port; and the person so entering the same shall be entitled to the benefit of drawback of duties or of warehousing said goods, wares and merchandise as provided by law in other cases.

        Penalty for breaking open, unpacking, exchanging or consuming merchandise entered for transportation.

        Breaking or defacing any seal or fastening.

        Defacing or forging certificates.

        SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, If any person having the charge of or being concerned in the transportation of any goods, wares, or merchandise upon the said river, shall, with intent to defraud the revenue, break open or unpack, within the limits of the Confederate States, any part of the merchandise entered for transportation beyond the said limits, or shall exchange or consume the same, or with like intent shall break or deface any seal or fastening placed thereon by any officer of the revenue, or if any person shall deface, alter, or forge any certificate granted for the protection of merchandise transported as aforesaid, each and every person so offending shall forfeit and pay five hundred dollars, and shall be imprisoned not less than one nor more than six months, at the discretion of the court before which such person shall be convicted.

        Masters, &c., of vessels entering waters of the Mississippi may enter goods for sale or otherwise.

        On payment of duties; Collector to grant license.

        When entitled to benefit of drawback of duties or of warehousing goods.

        SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, In case any ship, boat, or vessel shall enter the waters of the said river within the limits of the Confederate States, having on board any goods, wares, or merchandise subject to the payment of duties, and the master, consignee, or owner shall desire to land the same for sale or otherwise, it shall be lawful to enter the said goods, wares, and merchandise at any port of entry, in the same manner as goods, wares, or merchandise regularly consigned to the said port, or to forward them under bond or seal according to the regulations customary in such cases, when consigned to any port or place beyond the limits of this Confederacy, and on payment of the duties on said goods, to obtain from the collector a license to land the same at any point on the river; and when goods, wares, or merchandise shall be entered as aforesaid, the owner, importer, or consignee shall be entitled to the benefit of drawback of duties or of warehousing the said goods, wares, and merchandise, as is provided by law, upon complying with all the laws and regulations which apply to cases of entry for drawback or warehousing respectively.

        Master of vessel, on arrival at first port of entry, to deposit with the collector manifest of the cargo.

        Collector to certify and transmit manifest.

        May put inspector on the vessel.

        Penalty on master for failing to deposit manifest or refusing to receive inspector.

        This act not to apply to goods delivered at certain ports.

        SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, When any such ship, boat, or vessel, having on board goods, wares, and merchandise subject to the payment of duties, as set forth in the fourth section, shall arrive at the first port of her entry of the Confederate States, the master or person in command of such ship, boat, or vessel shall, before he pass the said port, and immediately after his arrival, deposit with the collector a manifest of the cargo on board subject to the payment of duties, and the said collector shall, after registering the same, transmit it, duly certified to have been deposited, to the officer with whom the entries are to be made; and the said collector may, if he judge it necessary for the security of the revenue, put an inspector of the customs on board any such ship, boat, or vessel, to accompany the same until her arrival at the first port of entry to which her cargo may be consigned; and if the master or person in command shall omit to deposite a manifest as aforesaid, or refuse to receive such inspector on board, he shall forfeit and pay five hundred dollars, with costs of suit, one-half to the use of the officer with whom the manifest should have been deposited, and the

other half to the use of the collector of the district to which the vessel was bound: Provided, however, That until ports of entry shall be established above the city of Vicksburg, on the Mississippi river, the penalties of this act shall not extend to the delivery of goods above that port by vessels or boats descending said river.

APPROVED February 25, 1861.

CHAP. XV.--An Act to modify the Navigation Laws and repeal all Discriminating Duties on Ships or Vessels.

February 26, 1861.

        Vessels not enrolled or licensed may be employed in the coasting trade.

        Laws forbidding importation of goods in vessels belonging to foreigners, repealed.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all laws which forbid the employment in the coasting trade of ships or vessels not enrolled or licensed, and also all laws which forbid the importation of goods, wares, or merchandise from one port of the Confederate States to another port of the Confederate States, or from any foreign port or place, in a vessel belonging wholly or in part to a subject or citizen of any foreign State or power, are hereby repealed.

        Repeal of laws imposing discriminating duties on tonnage.

        SEC. 2. All laws which impose any discriminating duty on the tonage of ships or vessels owned by any subject or citizen of any foreign State or power, or upon goods, wares or merchandise imported in any such ship or vessel, are hereby repealed.

APPROVED February 26, 1861.

CHAP. XVI.--An Act to define more accurately the Exemption of Certain Goods from Duty.

February 26, 1861.

        Exemption from duties allowed by act of Feb. 18, 1861, to extend only to certain goods.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the exemption from duties allowed by the act to "Exempt from duties certain commodities therein named, and for other purposes," passed on the eighteenth day of February, 1861, shall extend only to such goods, bona fide purchased on or before the twenty-eighth day of February instant, as shall have been actually laden on board of the exporting vessel or conveyance destined for any port in this Confederacy, on or before the fifteenth day of March, in the present year.

APPROVED February 26, 1861.

CHAP. XVII.--An Act for the Establishment and Organization of a General Staff for the Army of the Confederate States of America.

February 26, 1861.

        Officers in the general staff of the army.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and after the passing of this act, the general staff of the Army of the Confederate States shall consist of an Adjutant and Inspector General's Department, Quartermaster General's Department, Subsistence Department, and the Medical Department.

        Officers in the Adjutant and Inspector General's Department; their rank.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the Adjutant and Inspector General's Department shall consist of one Adjutant and Inspector General, with the rank of colonel; four Assistant Adjutants General, with the

rank of major, and four Assistant Adjutants General, with the rank of captain.

        Officers in the Quartermaster General's Department; their rank and pay.

        Quartermasters to discharge the duties of paymasters.

        SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the Quartermaster General's Department shall consist of one Quartermaster General, with the rank of colonel; six Quartermasters, with the rank of major; and as many Assistant Quartermasters, as may from time to time be required by the service, may be detailed by the War Department from the subalterns of the line, who, in addition to their pay in the line, shall receive twenty dollars per month while engaged in that service. The quartermasters herein provided for shall also discharge the duties of paymasters, under such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of War.

        Officers in Commissary General's Department; their rank and pay.

        Assistant quartermasters and Commissaries subject to duty in both departments.

        SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That the Commissary General's Department shall consist of one Commissary General, with the rank of colonel; four Commissaries, with the rank of captain, and as many Assistant Commissaries, as may from time to time be required by the service, may be detailed by the War Department from the subalterns of the line, who, in addition to their pay in the line, shall receive twenty dollars per month while engaged in that service. The assistant quartermasters and assistant commissaries shall be subject to duties in both departments at the same time, but shall not receive the additional compensation but in one department.

        Officers in Medical Department; their rank and pay.

        SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That the Medical Department shall consist of one Surgeon General, with the rank of colonel; four Surgeons, with the rank of major, and six Assistant Surgeons, with the rank of captain; and as many Assistant Surgeons, as the service may require, may be employed by the Department of War, and receive the pay of assistant surgeons.

        Officers in the Departments not to assume command of troops.

        SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That the officers of the Adjutant General's, Quartermaster General's and Commissary General's Departments, though eligible to command, according to the rank they hold in the army of the Confederate States of America, shall not assume command of troops, unless put on duty under orders which specially so direct by authority of the President. The officers of the Medical Department shall not exercise command except in their own department.

        Staff officers to be appointed by the President.

        SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That the staff officers herein provided for shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, and shall receive such pay and allowances as shall be hereafter established by law.

APPROVED February 26, 1861.

CHAP. XVIII.--An Act in relation to Public Printing.

February 27, 1861.

        Acts and resolutions of Congress, and Provisional and Permanent Constitutions to be published.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of Congress shall, after each session, prepare for publication fair copies of all the acts passed by Congress, and resolutions of a public nature intended to have the effect of laws, together with the Constitutions for a Provisional and Permanent Government of this Confederacy, adopted by this Congress.

        How acts to be arranged.

        SEC. 2. The acts shall be arranged under appropriate titles, shall have marginal notes to each section, and be fully indexed.

        Journal of proceedings of Congress to be published.

        SEC. 3. The Secretary shall also prepare for publication copies of the public journal of the proceedings of this Congress, and a full index for the same.

        Acts and journals to be delivered to public printer; his duty.

        SEC. 4. The acts and journals, when prepared, shall be delivered to the public printers, who shall, without delay, publish three thousand copies of each, in a style equal in execution, and upon paper of the same quality in every respect, as the laws of the United States, as annually published by Messrs. Little & Brown.

        Acts to be bound; fee for binding.

        SEC. 5. The acts of Congress thus published shall be bound by the public printers, in a style not inferior to the acts of the General Assembly of the State of Alabama, for which service he shall receive the sum of twenty-five cents per copy.

        Compensation of public printer for the publication of the laws and journals.

        SEC. 6. The public printer shall be entitled to receive as compensation for the publication of the laws and journals the following prices, viz.:

        For each page of the laws and journals, including press work, paper, pressing, folding and stitching, the sum of six dollars.

        For job printing.

        SEC. 7. For all job printing ordered by Congress the public printers shall receive the following compensation and no more, viz.:

        bills, resolutions and reports;

        First: For bills, resolutions and reports--For composition per page (foolscap) one dollar and seventy-five cents; for press work, folding and stitching one hundred copies, twenty-five cents per page and pro rata for all copies over one hundred.

        rules, Constitutions and other pamphlets;

        Second: For rules, constitutions and other pamphlets--For composition per page, (octavo) in small pica, plain, one dollar; in small pica, rule, one dollar and fifty cents; for brevier, plain, one dollar and fifty cents; for brevier, rule, two dollars; for rule and figure work on page larger than royal octavo, per 1,000 ems, one dollar; for press work, including folding and stitching, per token, seventy cents.

        yeas and nays, circular letters and other miscellaneous printing.

        Third: For yeas and nays, circular letters, and other miscellaneous printing ordered by Congress--For composition, plain work, per 1,000 ems, seventy cents; rule and figure work, per 1,000 ems, one dollar; for press work, including folding and stitching, per token or fraction of token, seventy cents.

        For paper.

        Fourth: For all paper on which printing is done for Congress, the public printer shall be allowed the fair market cost thereof, and twenty per centum additional thereto.

        Extra pay allowed for work done for Congress when in secret session.

        Fifth: On all work done for Congress when in secret session the public printer shall receive an additional compensation of ten per centum on the above rates.

        Heads of Departments to contract for printing for their offices.

        SEC. 8. The chief officers of the executive departments of the government are hereby authorized to contract for all necessary printing in connection with their several offices, in no case, however, at higher rates of compensation than hereinbefore prescribed for work done for Congress.

        Postmaster General to contract for the publication of blanks for his office; at what rates.

        Printer to keep on hand certain forms for postoffice blanks.

        Charge for new orders.

        SEC. 9. The Postmaster General shall contract for the publication of all post bills and other blanks connected with his office, not exceeding the following rates: For composition, including rule and figure work, per 1,000 ems, fifty cents; for presswork, per clean token, (the sheets not to be not less than 16 by 26 inches) fifty cents; for paper, ten per cent. on actual cost. Nothing shall be allowed for altering the name of a postmaster on a post bill or other blank, nor shall there be an additional charge for composition when the name of the postoffice alone is changed. But the printer shall be required to keep always on hand forms for postoffice blanks, and when new orders are given, the charge shall be made only for the press work and paper, and such new composition as may be necessary.

        Accounts for printing; how made out and certified.

        SEC. 10. All accounts for printing done for Congress or any one of the executive departments shall, before the same are allowed and paid, be sworn to by the public printer or contractor; shall be accompanied

by vouchers, showing the cost of the paper used and the quantity thereof, and shall be certified to be correctly made out under the law by at least two disinterested practical printers in no way connected with the office or business of the claimant.

        Usual fees to be paid for advertisements in public gazettes.

        SEC. 11. The foregoing rates and provisions do not apply to advertisements in public gazettes by order of any of the executive departments, for which the usual fees paid by other advertisers shall be allowed. But no advertisement from any of the executive departments shall be inserted in more than three public gazettes in the same State.

        Printing on parchment.

        SEC. 12. When printing on parchment is required to be done for any executive department, the parchment shall be purchased and furnished by such department, and a special contract made for such printing, not exceeding ten dollars per thousand copies.

        Bureau of printing established; its chief officer, and by whom appointed.

        Eligibility to office of Superintendent of Public Printing.

        SEC. 13. There shall be connected with the Department of Justice a Bureau of Printing, the chief officer of which shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, and shall be known as the Superintendent of Public Printing. No person shall be eligible to this office who is not skilled in and acquainted with the practical details of the business of printing; nor shall the Superintendent of Public Printing be in any manner, directly or indirectly, interested in the contracts for public printing, nor with the printing office at which the same is done, nor connected with any newspaper in any capacity whatever.

        Duties of the Superintendent.

        SEC. 14. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to supervise, direct and control all the printing done by order of Congress, or under contract with any executive department, as to the quality of paper to be used, the character of type, the style of binding, and the general execution of the work; and also as to the time and order in which the same shall be completed. It shall be his duty also to report to the head of the department, at least once a year, the condition of the public printing--stating the amount paid out for the same on each contract, specifying the amount paid out under the order of each department, and giving estimates of the probable expenditure for the succeeding year; which report shall be laid before the Congress by the President, in connection with his annual message. It shall be his duty also to take from every contractor for public printing such bond, with good security, as he may require, not exceeding the probable amount of the contract price for the printing to be done by such contractor, and conditioned for the faithful performance of his contract in every particular. Such bonds shall be renewed annually by contractors whose work shall be continuing in its character and extends beyond the year of its commencement.

        Superintendent to audit and allow accounts for printing, to authorize payment.

        Appeal from his decision.

        SEC. 15. All accounts for printing done, when rendered as hereinbefore provided, shall be audited and allowed by the Superintendent of Public Printing before the same shall be paid. If the Superintendent shall refuse to receive any work done, or shall refuse to allow any account rendered, the printer or contractor may appeal from such decision to the head of the department, whose decision on the appeal shall be final and conclusive.

        Laws repealed.

        SEC. 16. All laws or parts of laws militating against the provisions of this act are hereby repealed.

APPROVED February 27, 1861.

CHAP. XIX.--An Act to authorize the Secretary of State to appoint an Assistant.

February 27, 1861.

        Secretary of State may appoint an Assistant Secretary.

        His duties, and pay.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint an assistant, who shall be known as the Assistant Secretary of State, who shall perform such duties as may be assigned him by the Secretary, and receive such compensation for his services as may be fixed by law.

APPROVED February 27, 1861.

CHAP. XX.--An Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to establish additional Ports and Places of Entry and Delivery, and appoint Officers therefor.

February 28, 1861.

        Secretary of the Treasury authorized to establish ports of entry and delivery;

        his power to change and abolish the same.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to establish such ports of entry and delivery of goods, wares and merchandise, as in his judgment may be necessary for the proper collection of the customs and the enforcement of the revenue laws of the Confederate States; and that he have power to change, alter and abolish such ports and places of entry and delivery at any time when the public interests may require it.

        May appoint collectors of the customs, and fix their salaries

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint suitable persons as collectors of the customs at such ports and places of entry and delivery, under such regulations and with such salaries as he may from time to time prescribe and establish.

APPROVED February 28, 1861.

CHAP. XXI.--An Act to raise Money for the support of the Government, and to provide for the Defence of the Confederate States of America.

February 28, 1861.

        President authorized to borrow money on the credit of the C. S.

        How to be applied.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the President of the Confederate States be and he is hereby authorized, at any time within twelve months after the passage of this act, to borrow, on the credit of the Confederate States, a sum not exceeding fifteen millions of dollars, or so much thereof as in his opinion the exigencies of the public service may require, to be applied to the payment of appropriations made by law for the support of the government and for the defences of the Confederate States.

        Certificates of stock or bonds for the amount borrowed.

        Interest thereon.

        Coupons to be attached to the bonds issued.

        Faith of the C. S. pledged for the payment of the principal and interest.

        SEC. 2. The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized, by the consent of the President of the Confederate States, to cause to be prepared certificates of stock or bonds, in such sums as are hereinafter mentioned, for the amount to be borrowed as aforesaid, to be signed by the Register of the Treasury and sealed with the seal of the Treasury; and the said certificates of stock or bonds shall be made payable at the expiration of ten years from the first day of September next; and the interest thereon shall be paid semi-annually, at the rate of eight per cent. per annum, at the Treasury, and such other place as the Secretary of the Treasury may designate. And to the bonds which shall be issued as aforesaid, shall be attached coupons for the semi-annual interest which shall accrue, which coupons may be signed by officers to

be appointed for the purpose by the Secretary of the Treasury. And the faith of the Confederate States is hereby pledged for the due payment of the principal and interest of the said stock and bonds.

        Bonds or stocks may be paid on giving notice.

        When interest to cease.

        SEC. 3. At the expiration of five years from the first day of September next, the Confederate States may pay up any portion of the bonds or stocks, upon giving three months previous public notice, at the seat of government, of the particular stocks or bonds to be paid, and the time and place of payment; and from and after the time so appointed, no further interest shall be paid on said stock or bonds.

        Form and amount of the certificates of stock and bonds; certificates may be assigned.

        Report of the Secretary of the Treasury to Congress.

        SEC. 4. The certificates of stock and bonds shall be issued in such form and for such amounts as may be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, and may be assigned or delivered under such regulations as he may establish; but none of them shall be for a less sum than fifty dollars. And he shall report to Congress, at its next session, a statement, in detail of his proceedings, and the rate at which the loans may have been made, and all the expenses attending the same.

        Duty on cotton exported.

        Duty pledged to the payment of the loan provided for by this act.

        Sinking fund established.

        Interest coupons receivable in payment of the duty

        When duty to cease.

        SEC. 5. From and after the first day of August, 1861, there shall be levied and collected and paid, a duty of one-eighth of one cent. per pound on all cotton in the raw state exported from the Confederate States, which duty is hereby specially pledged to the due payment of interest and principal of the loan provided for in this act; and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and required to establish a sinking fund to carry into effect the provisions of this section: Provided, however, That the interest coupons, issued under the second section of this act, when due, shall be receivable in payment of the export duty on cotton: Provided, also, That when the debt and interest thereon herein authorized to be contracted shall be extinguished, or the sinking fund provided for that purpose shall be adequate to that end, the said export duty shall cease and determine.

APPROVED February 28, 1861.

CHAP. XXII.--An Act to raise Provisional Forces for the Confederate States of America, and for other purposes.

February 28, 1861.

        President to assume control of certain military operations in every State.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That to enable the government of the Confederate States to maintain its jurisdiction over all questions of peace and war, and to provide for the public defence, the President be and he is hereby authorized and directed to assume control of all military operations in every State, having reference to or connection with questions between said States, or any of them, and powers foreign to them.

        To receive from the States the arms, etc., acquired from the U. S.

        SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the President is hereby authorized to receive from the several States the arms and munitions of war which have been acquired from the United States, and which are now in the forts, arsenals and navy yards of the said States, and all other arms and munitions which they may desire to turn over and make chargeable to this government.

        To receive into service forces of the States; for what time.

        SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the President be authorized to receive into the service of this government such forces now in the service of said States as may be tendered, or who may volunteer, by consent of their State, in such numbers as he may require, for any time not less than twelve months, unless sooner discharged.

        The forces may be received, with their officers, by companies, etc.

        President may appoint their general officers.

        SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That such forces may be received, with their officers, by companies, battalions or regiments, and when so received shall form a part of the Provisional Army of the Confederate States,

according to the terms of their enlistment; and the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of Congress, such general officer or officers for said forces as may be necessary for the service.

        Pay and allowances of the forces received.

        To be subject to army rules.

        SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That said forces, when received into the service of this government, shall have the same pay and allowances as may be provided by law for volunteers entering the service, or for the army of the Confederate States, and shall be subject to the same rules and government.

APPROVED February 28, 1861.

CHAP. XXIII.--An Act Supplemental to an act to Regulate the Rates of Postage, and for other purposes.

March 1, 1861.

        Pre-payment of postage in money.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That until postage stamps and stamped envelopes can be procured and distributed, the Postmaster General may order the postage of the Confederacy to be pre-paid in money, under such rules and regulations as he may adopt.

        Postmaster General authorized to contract with steamers for the transportation of the mail.

        Rates of postage.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That until otherwise provided by law, the Postmaster General may contract with any line of steamers for the transportation of mail matter between the ports of this Confederacy and the ports of foreign governments: Provided, That the rates of postage shall not exceed the rates allowed by the present laws of the United States for similar service, and the compensation to be paid shall not exceed the income from postage on such matter.

APPROVED March 1, 1861.

CHAP. XXIV.--An Act to admit Texas as a Member of the Confederate States of America.

March 2, 1861.

        State of Texas admitted into the Confederacy.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the State of Texas be and is hereby admitted as a member of this Confederacy, upon an equal footing with the other Confederate States.

APPROVED March 2, 1861.

CHAP. XXV.--An Act to repeal so much of the Laws of the Confederate States of America as prohibit the introduction of Liquors, except in casks or vessels of or above certain named capacity, and for other purposes.

March 5, 1861.

        Laws prohibiting the importation of liquors, except in casks, etc., repealed;

        also laws requiring sugars to be imported in certain vessels and packages.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all laws and parts of laws which prohibit the importation into this Confederacy of beer, ale or porter, or distilled spirits, except in casks or vessels not below certain prescribed capacities, also all laws requiring loaf and refined sugars to be brought in in vessels of a certain tonnage and in packages of certain sizes, be and the same are hereby repealed. And hereafter it shall be lawful to import the same, subject to the payment of the duties prescribed by law, in such quantities as the importer shall choose.

APPROVED March 5, 1861.

Chap. XXVI.--An Act to provide for the Public Defence.

March 6, 1861.

        President authorized to employ the militia, military and naval forces,

        and to ask for and accept volunteers,

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That in order to provide speedily forces to repel invasion, maintain the rightful possession of the Confederate States of America in every portion of territory belonging to each State, and to secure the public tranquility and independence against threatened assault, the President be, and he is hereby authorized to employ the militia, military and naval forces of the Confederate States of America, and to ask for and accept the services of any number of volunteers, not exceeding one hundred thousand, who may offer their services, either as cavalry, mounted riflemen, artillery or infantry, in such proportion of these several arms as he may deem expedient, to serve for twelve months after they shall be mustered into service, unless sooner discharged.

        How long militia to serve.

        Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the militia, when called into service by virtue of this act or any other act, if in the opinion of the President the public interest requires, may be compelled to serve for a term not exceeding six months after they shall be mustered into service, unless sooner discharged.

        What the volunteers to furnish.

        To be armed by the States.

        Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That said volunteers shall furnish their own clothes, and, if mounted men, their own horses and horse equipments; and when mustered into service, shall be armed by the States from which they come, or by the Confederate States of America.

        Volunteers to be subject to rules and articles of war.

        To receive money in lieu of clothing.

        Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That said volunteers shall, when called into actual service, and while remaining therein, be subject to the rules and articles of war, and instead of clothing, every non-commissioned officer and private in any company shall be entitled, when called into actual service, in money to a sum equal to the cost of clothing of a non-commissioned officer or private in the regular army of the Confederate States of America.

        May be accepted in companies, squadrons, etc.

        Officers; how appointed.

        Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said volunteers so offering their services may be accepted by the President in companies, squadrons, battalions and regiments, whose officers shall be appointed in the manner prescribed by law in the several States to which they shall respectively belong; but when inspected, mustered, and received into the service of the Confederate States, said troops shall be regarded in all respects as a part of the army of said Confederate States, according to the terms of their respective enlistments.

        President may organize volunteer companies, battalions, etc.

        And appoint officers for brigades and divisions.

        May apportion the staff and general officers.

        Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the President is hereby authorized to organize companies so tendering their services into battalions or squadrons, battalions or squadrons into regiments, regiments into brigades, and brigades into divisions, whenever in his judgment such organization may be expedient; and whenever brigades or divisions shall be organized, the President shall appoint the commanding officers for such brigades and divisions, subject to the confirmation of Congress, who shall hold their offices only while such brigades and divisions are in service; and the President shall, if necessary, apportion the staff and general officers among the respective States from which the volunteers shall tender their services, as he may deem proper.

        Organization and pay of the militia and volunteers.

        Allowance for use and risk of horses.

        Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That whenever the militia or volunteers are called and received into the service of the Confederate States, under the provisions of this act, they shall have the same organization, and shall have the same pay and allowances as may be provided for the regular army; and all mounted non-commissioned officers, privates, musicians and artificers shall be allowed forty cents per day for the use and risk of their horses; and if any volunteer shall not keep

himself provided with a serviceable horse, such volunteer shall serve on foot. For horses killed in action, volunteers shall be allowed compensation according to their appraised value at the date of muster into service.

        Officers of a separate battalion of volunteers.

        Additional second lieutenant to each company.

        President may limit number of privates.

        Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the field and staff officers of a separate battalion of volunteers shall be one lieutenant-colonel or major, one adjutant with the rank of lieutenant, one sergeant major, one quartermaster sergeant, and a chief bugler or principal musician, according to corps; and that each company shall be entitled to an additional second lieutenant; and that the President may limit the privates in any volunteer company, according to his discretion, at from sixty-four to one hundred.

        Additional officers, and when and by whom appointed for the Quartermaster, Commissary and Medical Departments.

        Bond and security required.

        Pay and emoluments.

        How long to continue in service.

        Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That when volunteers or militia are called into the service of the Confederate States in such numbers that the officers of the quartermaster, commissary and medical departments, which may be authorized by law for the regular service, are not sufficient to provide for the supplying, quartering, transporting, and furnishing them with the requisite medical attendance, it shall be lawful for the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Congress, as many additional officers of said departments as the service may require, not exceeding one commissary and one quartermaster for each brigade, with the rank of major, and one assistant quartermaster with the rank of captain, one assistant commissary with the rank of captain, one surgeon and one assistant surgeon for each regiment; the said quartermasters and commissaries, assistant quartermasters and commissaries, to give bonds with good sureties for the faithful performance of their duties; the said officers to be allowed the same pay and emoluments as shall be allowed to officers of the same grade in the regular service, and to be subject to the rules and articles of war, and to continue in service only so long as their services may be required in connection with the militia or volunteers.

        President may purchase and equip vessels, etc., fit for or easily converted into armed vessels.

        Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That the President be, and he is hereby authorized to purchase or charter, arm, equip and man such merchant vessels and steamships or boats as may be found fit or easily converted into armed vessels, and in such number as he may deem necessary for the protection of the seaboard and the general defence of the country.

Approved March 6, 1861.

Chap. XXVII.--An Act to provide for the Registration of Vessels owned in whole or in part by citizens of the Confederate States.

March 6, 1861.

        What vessels may be registered.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all vessels, wherever built, one-fourth or more of which shall be owned by a citizen or citizens of the Confederate States, and commanded by a citizen thereof, shall be registered as a vessel of the Confederacy at the custom-houses thereof: Provided, That a majority in interest of the owners shall consent to such registration, and such vessels be not registered elsewhere.

Approved March 6, 1861.

CHAP. XXVIII.--An Act to establish and organize a Bureau in connection with the Department of the Treasury, to be known as the Lighthouse Bureau.

March 6, 1861.

        Lighthouse Bureau established.

        Officers, and their salaries.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America] do enact, That there shall be established in connection with the Department of the Treasury a bureau, to be known as the Lighthouse Bureau. The chief officer of such bureau shall be a captain or commander of the navy, detailed for this service by order of the President of the Confederate States, who shall receive as his compensation the same pay allowed to officers of the same rank in the navy. There shall be appointed also a chief clerk, with a salary of twelve hundred dollars, and an accounting clerk, with a salary of one thousand dollars.

        Matters under the control and direction of the Lighthouse Bureau.

        SEC. 2. All lighthouses, light vessels, buoys, and other aids to navigation, all the officers connected therewith, and all matters connected with the construction, repair, illumination, inspection and government thereof, and all duties appertaining to the administration of lighthouse affairs, shall be under the direction and control of the Lighthouse Bureau hereby established, subject at all times to the superintendence of the Secretary of the Treasury.

        Chief of bureau to divide sea-coast into districts

        Inspector for each district.

        His duties, and pay.

        SEC. 3. The chief of the bureau shall, as soon as possible, divide the sea-coasts of the Confederate States into districts not exceeding five in number, as the Secretary of the Treasury may deem expedient, and over each of these districts the President shall appoint an inspector, to be selected from the lieutenants in the navy, who shall discharge all the duties of inspection, survey or otherwise which may be required of him by the chief of the bureau. For these services the inspectors shall receive only their regular pay in the navy.

        Detail of officers of the engineer corps to superintend construction of lighthouses, etc.

        Other duties.

        SEC. 4. The President of the Confederate States may from time to time, at the request of the Secretary of the Treasury, detail one or more of the officers of the engineer corps of the army, to be employed under the direction of the Lighthouse Bureau, in superintending the construction or repair of light houses or other necessary structures in connection with the lighthouse establishment, or other similar duty assigned by the Lighthouse Bureau in connection therewith.

        Report by chief of the bureau to Secretary of the Treasury.

        SEC. 5. The chief of the bureau shall, at least once every year, make a full report to the Secretary of the Treasury, giving a full statement of the operations of the lighthouse establishment. He shall also from time to time give such information to the Secretary of the Treasury as he may require in reference to his bureau.

        Laws repealed.

        SEC. 6. All laws and parts of laws contravening the provisions of this act are hereby repealed.

APPROVED March 6, 1861.

CHAP. XXIX.--An Act for establishment and organization of the Army of the Confederate States of America.

March 6, 1861.

        Military establishment; of what composed.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That from and after the passage of this act the military establishment of the Confederate States shall be composed of one corps of engineers, one corps of artillery, six regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and of the staff departments already established by law.

        Corps of Engineers

        SEC. 2. The corps of engineers shall consist of one colonel, four majors, five captains, and one company of sappers, miners, and pontoniers, which shall consist of ten sergeants or master workmen, ten corporals or overseers, two musicians, and thirty-nine privates of the first class, or artificers, and thirty-nine privates of the second class, or laborers, making in all one hundred.

        Officers of company of sappers, miners, and pontoniers.

        Their duties.

        SEC. 3. The said company shall be officered by one captain of the corps of engineers, and as many lieutenants, to be selected by the President from the line of the army, as he may deem necessary for the services, and shall be instructed in and perform all the duties of sappers, miners, and pontoniers, and shall, moreover, under the orders of the chief engineer, be liable to serve by detachments in overseeing and aiding laborers upon fortifications or other works under the engineer department, and in supervising finished fortifications, as fort-keepers, preventing injury and making repairs.

        Duties of Colonel of the Engineer corps.

        SEC. 4. It shall be the duty of the colonel of the engineer corps, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, to prescribe the number, quantity, form, dimensions, etc., of the necessary vehicles, arms, pontons, tools, implements, and other supplies for the service of the said company as a body of sappers, miners, and pontoniers.

        Corps of Artillery.

        SEC. 5. The corps of artillery, which shall also be charged with ordnance duties, shall consist of one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, ten majors, and forty companies of artillerists and artificers; and each company shall consist of one captain, two first lieutenants, one second lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians, and seventy privates. There shall also be one adjutant, to be selected by the colonel from the first lieutenants, and one sergeant-major, to be selected from the enlisted men of the corps. The President may equip as light batteries, of six pieces each, such of these companies as he may deem expedient, not exceeding four in time of peace.

        Regiments of Infantry.

        SEC. 6. Each regiment of infantry shall consist of one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, one major, and ten companies; each company shall consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, two second lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, two musicians and ninety privates; and to each regiment there shall be attached one adjutant, to be selected from the lieutenants, and one sergeant-major, to be selected from the enlisted men of the regiment.

        Regiment of Cavalry.

        SEC. 7. The regiment of cavalry shall consist of one colonel, one lieutenant colonel, one major, and ten companies, each of which shall consist of one captain, one first lieutenant, two second lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, one farrier, one blacksmith, two musicians, and sixty privates. There shall also be one adjutant and one sergeant-major, to be selected as aforesaid.

        Brigadier Generals and their aids-de-camp; their duties.

        SEC. 8. There shall be four brigadier generals, who shall be assigned to such commands and duties as the President may specially direct, and shall be entitled to one aid-de-camp each, to be selected from the subalterns of the line of the army, who, in addition to their duties as aids-de-camp, may perform the duties of assistants adjutant general.

        President to appoint all officers of the army.

        Term of enlistment of the rank and file.

        SEC. 9. All officers of the army shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, and the rank and file shall be enlisted for a term not less than three nor more than five years, under such regulations as may be established.

        Examination of officers.

        SEC. 10. No officer shall be appointed in the army until he shall have passed an examination satisfactory to the President, and in such manner as he may prescribe, as to his character and fitness for the service. The President, however, shall have power to postpone this examination for one year after appointment, if in his judgment necessary for the public interest.

        How vacancies filled.

        Promotion.

        Brigadier Generals to be selected from the Army.

        SEC. 11. All vacancies in established regiments and corps, to and including the rank of colonel, shall be filled by promotion according to seniority, except in case of disability or other incompetency. Promotions to and including the rank of colonel shall be made regimentally in the infantry and cavalry, in the staff departments, and in the engineers

and artillery, according to corps. Appointments to the rank of brigadier general, after the army is organized, shall be made by selection from the army.

        Appointment of subaltern officers.

        Proviso.

        SEC. 12. The President of the Confederate States is hereby authorized to appoint to the lowest grade of subaltern officers such meritorious non-commissioned officers as may, upon the recommendation of their colonels and company officers, be brought before an army board, specially convened, for the purpose, and found qualified for the duties of commissioned officers, and to attach them to regiments or corps, as supernumerary officers, if there be no vacancies: Provided, There shall not be more than one so attached to any one company at the same time.

        Pay of Brigadier General;

        of his aid-de-camp.

        SEC. 13. The pay of a brigadier general shall be three hundred and one dollars per month The aid-de-camp of a brigadier general, in addition to his pay as lieutenant, shall receive thirty-five dollars per month.

        Pay of officers of the Engineer Corps.

        SEC. 14. The monthly pay of the officers of the corps of engineers shall be as follows: of the colonel, two hundred and ten dollars; of a major, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; of a captain, one hundred and forty dollars; lieutenants serving with the company of sappers and miners shall receive the pay of cavalry officers of the same grade.

        Pay of officers of Artillery.

        SEC. 15. The monthly pay of the colonel of the corps of artillery shall be two hundred and ten dollars; of a lieutenant colonel, one hundred and eighty-five dollars; of a major, one hundred and fifty dollars, and when serving on ordnance duty, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; of a captain, one hundred and thirty dollars; of a first lieutenant, ninety dollars; of a second lieutenant, eighty dollars; and the adjutant shall receive, in addition to his pay as lieutenant, ten dollars per month. Officers of artillery serving in the light artillery, or performing ordnance duty, shall receive the same pay as officers of cavalry of the same grade.

        Pay of officers of Infantry.

        SEC. 16. The monthly pay of the officers of the infantry shall be as follows: of a colonel, one hundred and ninety-five dollars; of a lieutenant colonel, one hundred and seventy dollars; of a major, one hundred and fifty dollars; of a captain, one hundred and thirty dollars; of a first lieutenant, ninety dollars; of a second lieutenant, eighty dollars; the adjutant, in addition to his pay as lieutenant, ten dollars.

        Pay of officers of Cavalry.

        SEC. 17. The monthly pay of the officers of the cavalry shall be as follows: of a colonel, two hundred and ten dollars; of a lieutenant colonel, one hundred and eighty-five dollars; a major, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; a captain, one hundred and forty dollars; a first lieutenant, one hundred dollars; a second lieutenant, ninety dollars; the adjutant, ten dollars per month, in addition to his pay as lieutenant.

        Pay of officers of the General Staff.

        Pay of Surgeon General.

        Pay of Surgeons and Ass't Surgeons.

        SEC. 18. The pay of the officers of the general staff, except those of the medical department, shall be the same as that of officers of cavalry of the same grade. The surgeon general shall receive an annual salary of three thousand dollars, which shall be in full of all pay and allowances, except fuel and quarters. The monthly pay of a surgeon, of ten years' service in that grade, shall be two hundred dollars; a surgeon of less than ten years' service in that grade, one hundred and sixty-two dollars; an assistant surgeon of ten years' service in that grade, one hundred and fifty dollars; an assistant surgeon of five year's service in that grade, one hundred and thirty dollars; and an assistant surgeon of less than five years' service, one hundred and ten dollars.

        Additional pay of commissioned officers, and of United States officers who have resigned or may resign.

        SEC. 19. There shall be allowed in addition to the pay hereinbefore

provided, to every commissioned officer except the surgeon general, nine dollars per month for every five years' service; and to the officers of the army of the United States, who have resigned or may resign to be received into the service of the Confederate States, this additional pay shall be allowed from the date of their entrance into the former service. There shall also be an additional monthly allowance to every general officer commanding in chief a separate army actually in the field, [of] one hundred dollars.

        The pay of officers to be in full of all allowances, except forage, fuel, etc.

        Allowance of forage, fuel, and quarters; how fixed and furnished.

        May be commuted.

        Mileage allowed officers.

        SEC. 20. The pay of officers, as hereinbefore established, shall be in full of all allowances, except forage, fuel, quarters, and travelling expenses while travelling under orders. The allowance of forage, fuel and quarters shall be fixed by regulations and shall be furnished in kind, except when officers are serving at stations without troops where public quarters cannot be had, in which case there may be allowed, in lieu of forage, eight dollars per month for each horse to which they may be entitled, provided they are actually kept in service and mustered; and quarters may be commuted at a rate to be fixed by the Secretary of War, and fuel at the market price delivered. An officer when travelling under orders shall be allowed mileage at the rate of ten cents per mile.

        Forage allowed officers of the army in time of war;

        in time of peace.

        No enlisted man to he employed as a servant.

        SEC. 21. In time of war, officers of the army shall be entitled to draw forage for horses, according to grade, as follows: A brigadier general, four; the adjutant and inspector general, quartermaster general, commissary general, and the colonels of engineers, artillery, infantry and cavalry, three each; all lieutenant colonels and majors, and captains of the general staff, engineer corps, light artillery and cavalry, three each: lieutenants serving in the corps of engineers, lieutenants of light artillery and of cavalry, two each. In time of peace: general and field officers, three; officers below the rank of field officers, in the general staff corps of engineers, light artillery and cavalry, two; provided in all cases that the horses are actually kept in service and mustered. No enlisted man in the service of the Confederate States shall be employed as a servant by any officer of the army.

        Pay of enlisted men.

        SEC. 22. The monthly pay of the enlisted men of the army of the Confederate States shall be as follows: That of a sergeant or master workman of the engineer corps, thirty-four dollars; that of a corporal or overseer, twenty dollars; privates of the first class, or artificers, seventeen dollars; and privates of the second class, or laborers, and musicians, thirteen dollars. The sergeant major of cavalry, twenty-one dollars; first sergeants, twenty dollars; sergeants, seventeen dollars; corporals, farriers and blacksmiths, thirteen dollars; musicians, thirteen dollars; and privates, twelve dollars. Sergeants major of artillery and infantry, twenty-one dollars; first sergeants, twenty dollars each; sergeants, seventeen dollars; corporals and artificers, thirteen dollars; musicians, twelve dollars; and privates, eleven dollars each. The non-commissioned officers, artificers, musicians and privates serving in light batteries, shall receive the same pay as those of cavalry.

        President authorized to enlist master armorers, and others, for ordnance service.

        Their pay.

        SEC. 23. The President shall be authorized to enlist as many master armorers, master carriage-makers, master blacksmiths, armorers, carriage-makers, blacksmiths, artificers and laborers, for ordnance service, as he may deem necessary, not exceeding in all one hundred men, who shall be attached to the corps of artillery. The pay of a master armorer, master carriage-maker, master blacksmith, shall be thirty-four dollars per month; armorers, carriage-makers and blacksmiths, twenty dollars per month; artificers, seventeen dollars, and laborers, thirteen dollars per month.

        Rations.

        Clothing.

        SEC. 24. Each enlisted man of the army of the Confederate States

shall receive one ration per day, and a yearly allowance of clothing, the quantity and kind of each to be established by regulations from the War Department, to be approved by the President.

        Rations issued in kind; commutation value fixed.

        SEC. 25. Rations shall generally be issued in kind, but under circumstances rendering a commutation necessary, the commutation value of the ration shall be fixed by regulations of the War Department, to be approved by the President.

        Duties of officers.

        Secretary of War to prescribe details for the general government of the Army.

        SEC. 26. The officers appointed in the army of the Confederate States by virtue of this act, shall perform all military duties to which they may be severally assigned by authority of the President, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of War to prepare and publish regulations, prescribing the details of every department in the service, for the general government of the army, which regulations shall be approved by the President, and when so approved shall be binding

        Quartermasters and commissaries to give bond.

        SEC. 27. All officers of the quartermaster's and commissary departments shall, previous to entering on the duties of their respective offices, give bonds, with good and sufficient sureties, to the Confederate States, in such sum as the Secretary of War shall direct, fully to account for all moneys and public property which they may receive.

        Not to be concerned in certain purchases or sales.

        SEC. 28. Neither the quartermaster general, the commissary general, nor any or either of their assistants, shall be concerned, directly or indirectly, in the purchase or sale of any articles intended for, making a part of, or appertaining to public supplies, except for and on account of the Confederate States; nor shall they, or either of them, take or apply to his or their own use any gain or emolument for negotiating any business in their respective departments, other than what is or may be allowed by law.

        Rules and articles of war.

        SEC. 29. The Rules and Articles of War established by the laws of the United States of America for the government of the army are hereby declared to be of force, except that wherever the words "United States" occur, the words "Confederate States" shall be substituted therefor; and except that the articles of war numbers sixty-one and sixty-two are hereby abrogated, and the following articles substituted therefor:

        "ARTICLE 61. Officers having brevets or commissions of a prior date to those of the corps in which they serve will take place on courts marshal or of inquiry, and on boards detailed for military purposes, when composed of different corps, according to the ranks given them in their brevet or former commissions, but in the regiment, corps, or company to which such officers belong, they shall do duty and take rank, both in courts and on boards as aforesaid, which shall be composed of their own corps, according to the commissions by which they are there mustered.

        "ARTICLE 62. If upon marches, guards, or in quarters, different corps shall happen to join or do duty together, the officer highest in rank, according to the commission by which he is mustered in the army, navy, marine corps, or militia, there on duty by orders from competent authority, shall command the whole and give orders for what is needful for the service, unless otherwise directed by the President of the Confederate States in orders of special assignment providing for the case."

        Only such troops as are needed to be called into service.

        SEC. 30. The President shall call into the service of the Confederate States only so many of the troops herein provided for as he may deem the safety of the Confederacy may require.

        Laws repealed.

        SEC. 31. All laws or parts of laws of the United States, which have

been adopted by the Congress of the Confederate States, repugnant to or inconsistent with this act, are hereby repealed.

APPROVED March 6, 1861.

CHAP. XXX.--An Act to create the Clerical Force of the several Executive Departments of the Confederate States of America, and for other purposes.

March 7, 1861.

        Clerical force of the several Departments.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the clerical force of the several departments of the Confederate States of America shall consist of the following officers:

        Clerks in the State Department, and their salaries.

        To the State Department there shall be one chief clerk, at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per annum, and one clerk, at a salary of twelve hundred dollars per annum, and also a messenger, whose annual compensation shall be five hundred dollars.

        Clerks in the Treasury Department, and their salaries.

        Messenger.

        To the Treasury Department there shall be a chief clerk, whose salary shall be fifteen hundred dollars per annum, and three other clerks, who shall receive each twelve hundred dollars per annum; and there shall be one messenger, at an annual compensation of five hundred dollars.

        Clerks to each of the bureaus of the Treasury Departm't, and their salaries.

        Messengers.

        To each of the bureaus of the Treasury Department, viz.: the Comptroller, the Auditor, the Register and the Treasurer, there shall be a chief clerk, whose salaries shall be each fifteen hundred dollars per annum; and to all of said bureaus there shall be twenty-two clerks, eleven of whom shall receive salaries of twelve hundred dollars each per annum, and eleven shall receive salaries of one thousand dollars each per annum; and the said Secretary of the Treasury shall have power to distribute said twenty-two clerks among the said bureaus, as in his judgment will best subserve the public interest; and to each of the offices of Comptroller, Auditor, Register and Treasurer, there shall be a messenger, with an annual salary of five hundred dollars.

        Chief of the bureau and clerks in the War Department, and their salaries.

        Messenger.

        Clerks of the bureaus

        To the War Department there shall be a Chief of the Bureau of War, at an annual salary of three thousand dollars, and five clerks, who shall each receive twelve hundred dollars per annum; and one of them may be appointed disbursing clerk, with an additional salary of six hundred dollars, who shall give bond with sureties, to be approved by the Secretary of War. There shall also be one messenger, whose compensation shall be five hundred dollars per annum. And to all of the bureaus of the War Department, viz.: the Adjutant and Inspector General, Quartermaster General, the Commissary General, the Surgeon General, the Chief Engineer and the Artillery, there shall be fourteen clerks, seven of whom shall receive each a salary of twelve hundred dollars, and seven a salary each of one thousand dollars per annum.

        Secretary of War to assign clerks to duty.

        Messengers to bureaus.

        And the Secretary of War is hereby authorized to assign said clerks to duty in the respective offices enumerated, as in his judgment will best promote the public service. And to each of said named bureaus, except the office of Surgeon General, there shall be, if deemed necessary by the Secretary of War, a messenger, at an annual compensation of five hundred dollars.

        Assistant Postmaster General and clerks in the Postoffice Department; their salaries.

        Messenger.

        To the Postoffice Department there shall be an Assistant Postmaster General, with a salary of three thousand dollars per annum, and a chief clerk at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per annum, and ten other clerks, five of whom shall receive salaries each of twelve hundred, and five shall receive salaries each of one thousand dollars per

annum. And there shall be one messenger, at an annual salary of five hundred dollars.

        Assistant Attorney General and clerk in the Department of Justice, and their salaries.

        Messenger.

        To the Department of Justice there shall be an Assistant Attorney General, at a salary of twenty-five hundred dollars per annum, and one clerk, whose annual salary shall be twelve hundred dollars, and also a messenger, at a salary of five hundred dollars.

        Salaries of Assistant Secretary of State and of the Treasury, and Chiefs of Bureaus in the Treasury Department.

        SEC. 2. The annual salaries of the Assistant Secretary of State, the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, the Comptroller, the Auditor, the Register, and the Treasurer, shall each be the sum of three thousand dollars per annum.

        Officers in President's household, and their salaries.

        SEC. 3. The President of the Confederate States of America is hereby authorized to appoint or employ in his official household the following officers, to-wit: one private secretary, at an annual salary of twelve hundred dollars, and one messenger, at an annual salary of five hundred dollars.

        Increase of clerical force in the several departments.

        Laborers may be be employed for the Departments; their compensation.

        SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Secretaries of State, Treasury, War, Navy, Attorney General, and Postmaster General, are hereby authorized to employ such other clerical force in their respective departments as the exigencies of the public service may absolutely require, being limited in the compensation to the lower grade of salary for clerks provided for in this bill; they are also empowered to employ such laborers for their respective offices as may be required, not exceeding one for each of the executive departments, and whose compensation shall not exceed one dollar and fifty cents per day.

APPROVED March 7, 1861.

CHAP. XXXI.--An Act to create the Clerical Force of the Navy Department.

March 8, 1861.

        Clerks in the Navy Department and their salaries.

        Messenger, and his compensation.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the clerical force of the Navy Department shall consist of one chief clerk, at a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per annum, who shall also perform the duties of disbursing agent and corresponding clerk of said department, and receive therefor an extra compensation of six hundred dollars per annum, and also three other clerks, two of whom shall receive a salary each of twelve hundred dollars per annum, and one a salary of one thousand dollars per annum; and there shall be attached to said department a messenger, whose annual compensation shall be five hundred dollars.

APPROVED March 8, 1861.

CHAP. XXXII.--An Act to admit certain materials free of Duty, for the construction of Telegraphic Lines from Savannah, in the State of Georgia, to Fort Pulaski, and from Mobile, in the State of Alabama, to Fort Morgan.

March 9, 1861.

        Cable wire, etc., for a certain telegraphic line, admitted free of duty;

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That certain cable wire and other materials for the construction of a telegraphic line between the city of Savannah, in the State of Georgia, and Fort Pulaski, in the same State, which may be imported by C. C. Walden, the contractor for said line, be admitted free of duty, upon satisfactory proof being submitted to the collector of the port of Savannah that the materials herein designated are imported for and applied to the construction of the said telegraphic line.

        also materials to construct a certain other telegraphic line.

        SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the materials necessary to construct a telegraphic line from Mobile to Fort Morgan may also be imported free of duty.

APPROVED March 9, 1861.

CHAP. XXXIII--An Act to authorize the Issue of Treasury Notes, and to prescribe the Punishment for forging the same, and for forging certificates of Stock, Bonds, or Coupons.

March 9, 1861.

        President to cause Treasury notes to be issued.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the President of the Confederate States of America is hereby authorized to cause treasury notes to be issued for such sum or sums as the exigencies of the public service may require, but not to exceed at any time one million of dollars, and of denominations not less than fifty dollars for any such note, to be prepared, signed and issued in the manner hereinafter provided.

        When to be paid and redeemed.

        SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That such treasury notes shall be paid and redeemed by the Confederate States at the treasury thereof, after the expiration of one year from the dates of said notes, from which dates they shall bear interest at the rate of one cent per day for every hundred dollars issued: Provided, That after the maturity of any of said notes, interest thereon shall cease at the expiration of sixty days' notice of readiness to pay and redeem the same, which may at any time or times be given by the Secretary of the Treasury, in one or more newspapers published at the seat of government. The payment or redeemption of said notes herein provided shall be made to the lawful holders thereof respectively, upon presentment at the treasury, and shall include the principal of each note and the interest which shall be due thereon. And for such payment and redeemption, at the time or times herein specified, the faith of the Confederate States of America is hereby pledged.

        Preparation and signing of Treasury notes.

        Accounts to be kept of notes issued, redeemed and cancelled.

        SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That such treasury notes shall be prepared under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury, and shall be signed, in behalf of the Confederate States of America, by the treasurer thereof, and countersigned by the register of the treasury. Each of these officers shall keep, in a book or books provided for that purpose, separate, full and accurate accounts, showing the number, date, amount and rate of interest of each treasury note signed and countersigned by them respectively; and also similar accounts, showing all such notes as may be paid, redeemed and cancelled, as the same may be returned, all which accounts shall be carefully preserved in the Treasury Department. And the treasurer shall account quarterly for all such treasury notes as shall have been countersigned by the register and delivered to the treasurer for issue.

        To be issued in payment of warrants in favor of public creditors.

        Borrowing of money on the credit of treasury notes.

        SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized, with the approbation of the President, to cause such portion of said treasury notes as may be deemed expeid[i]ent to be issued by the treasurer in payment of warrants in favor of public creditors or other persons lawfully entitled to such payment who may choose to receive such notes in payment at par. And the Secretary of the Treasury is further authorized, with the approbation of the President, to borrow from time to time such sums of money, upon the credit of such notes, as the President may deem expedient: Provided, That no treasury notes shall be pledged, hypothecated, sold or disposed of in any way, for any purpose whatever, either directly or indirectly, for any sum less than the amount of such notes, including the principal and interest thereof.

        Notes transferable by assignment.

        SEC. 5. And be it further enacted, That said treasury notes shall be transferable, by assignment, endorsed thereon by the person to whose order the same shall be made payable, accompanied together with the delivery of notes so assigned.

        Receivable in payment of all dues to the C. S., except the export duty on cotton.

        SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That said treasury notes shall be received by the proper officers in payment of all duties and taxes laid by the authority of the Confederate States of America, of all public lands sold by said authority, and of all debts to the Confederate States of America, of any character whatever, which may be due and payable at the time when said treasury notes may be offered in payment thereof, except the export duty on cotton; and upon every such payment credit shall be given for the amount of principal and interest, if any, due on the note or notes received in payment on the day when the same shall have been received by such officer.

        Public officers to take receipts on treasury notes from the holders.

        Entries of treasury notes received in payment of public dues, and the character thereof.

        SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That every collector of the customs, receiver of public moneys, or other officer or agent of the Confederate States of America, who shall receive any treasury note or notes in payment on account of the Confederate States of America, shall take from the holder of such note or notes a receipt upon the back of each, stating distinctly the date of such payment and the amount allowed upon such note; and every such officer or agent shall keep regular and specific entries of all treasury notes received in payment, showing the person from whom received, the number, date and amount of principal and interest, if any, allowed on each and every treasury note received in payment, which entries shall be delivered to the treasury, with the treasury note or notes mentioned therein, and if found correct, such officer or agent shall receive credit for the amount.

        Secretary of the Treasury to make rules, as to the custody, disposal, etc, of the notes,

        and the accounts and returns of such receipts.

        SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he hereby is authorized to make and issue from time to time such instructions, rules and regulations to the several collectors, receivers, depositaries and all others who may be required to receive such treasury notes in behalf of and as agents in any capacity for the Confederate States of America, as to the custody, disposal, cancelling and return of any such notes as may be paid to and received by them respectively, and as to the accounts and returns to be made to the Treasury Department of such receipts, as he shall deem best calculated to promote the public convenience and security, and to protect the Confederate States of America, as well as individuals, from frauds and loss.

        Payment of treasury notes.

        SEC. 9. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be and he hereby is authorized and directed to cause to be paid the principal and interest of such treasury notes as may be issued under this act, at the time and times when, according to its provisions, the same should be paid. And the said secretary is further authorized to purchase said notes at par, for the amount of principal and interest due at the time of the purchase of such notes. And so much of any unappropriated money in the treasury as may be necessary for the purpose is hereby appropriated to the payment of the principal and interest on said notes.

        Other treasury notes may be issued in lieu of those paid and reserved.

        SEC. 10. And be it further enacted, That in place of such treasury notes as may have been paid and redeemed, other treasury notes to the same amount may be issued: Provided, That the aggregate sum outstanding under the authority of this act shall at no time exceed one million of dollars: And provided further, That the power to issue and re-issue treasury notes conferred on the President by this act, shall cease and determine on the first day of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.

        Forging or counterfeiting of treasury notes.

        Penalty

        SEC. 11. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall falsely make, forge or counterfeit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, forged or counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely making, forging or counterfeiting any note in imitation of or purporting to be a treasury note, issued as aforesaid, or shall pass, utter or publish, or attempt to pass, utter or publish as true any false, forged or counterfeited note, purporting to be a treasury note as aforesaid, knowing the same to be falsely made, forged or counterfeited, or shall falsely alter, or cause or procure to be falsely altered, or willingly aid and assist in falsely altering any treasury note issued as aforesaid, or shall pass, utter or publish, or attempt to pass, utter or publish as true any falsely altered treasury note, issued as aforesaid, knowing the same to be falsely altered, every such person shall be deemed and adjuged guilty of felony, and being thereof convicted by due course of law, shall be sentenced to be imprisioned and kept at hard labor for a period not less than three years nor more than ten years, and to be fined in a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars.

        Penalty for making or engraving plates to be used in forging or counterfeiting such notes.

        SEC. 12. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall make or engrave, or cause or procure to be made or engraved, or shall have in his possession any metallic plate engraved after the similitude of any plate from which any notes issued as aforesaid shall have been printed, with intent to use such plate, or cause or suffer the same to be used in forging or counterfeiting any of the notes issued as aforesaid, or shall have in his custody or possession any blank note or notes engraved and printed after the similitude of any notes issued as aforesaid, with intent to use such blanks, or cause or suffer the same to be used in forging or counterfeiting any of the notes issued as aforesaid, or shall have in his custody or possession any paper adapted to the making of such notes, and similar to the paper upon which any such notes shall have been issued, with intent to use such paper or cause or suffer the same to be used in forging or counterfeiting any of the notes issued as aforesaid, every such person, being thereof convicted by due course of law, shall be sentenced to be imprisoned and kept to hard labor for a term not less than three nor more than ten years, and fined in a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars.

        Penalty for forging or counterfeiting any certificate of stock or bond, or coupon issued under the act of the 28th Feb., 1861.

        SEC. 13. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall falsely make, forge or counterfeit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, forged or counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely making or forging, or counterfeiting any certificate of stock or bond, or coupon, in imitation of or purporting to be a certificate of stock or bond, or coupon, issued in accordance with the provisions of the act entitled an act to raise money for the support of the government, and to provide for the defence of the Confederate States of America, approved the twenty-eighth day of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, or shall pass, utter or publish, or attempt to pass, utter or publish as true any false, forged or counterfeited certificate of stock or bond, or coupon, purporting to be a certificate of stock or bond, or coupon, as aforesaid, knowing the same to be falsely made, forged or counterfeited, or shall falsely alter or cause, or procure to be falsely altered, or willingly aid or assist in falsely altering any certificate of stock or bond, or coupon, issued as aforesaid, or shall pass, utter or publish, or attempt to pass, utter or publish as true any falsely altered certificate of stock or bond, or coupon, issued as aforesaid, knowing the same to be falsely altered, every such person shall be deemed and adjudged guilty of a felony, and being thereof convicted by due course of law, shall be sentenced to be imprisoned and kept at labor for a period not less than three years nor more than ten years, and be fined in a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars.

APPROVED March 9, 1861.

CHAP. XXXIV.--An Act to provide for an Assistant Treasurer of the Confederate States of America, and a Treasurer for the Mint in the City of New Orleans.

March 9, 1861.

        Branch mint at New Orleans to be the place of deposit of public moneys in that city.

        Assistant Treasurer to be appointed.

        His duties.

        Bond and security.

        Proviso.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the branch mint, formerly belonging to the United States, in the city of New Orleans, and the vaults and safes thereof, shall be the place of deposite of the public money of the Confederate States of America in that city; and the President shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of Congress shall appoint an assistant treasurer of the Confederate States of America, who shall hold his office until the expiration of this Provisional Government. And the said assistant treasurer shall have the custody and care of all public moneys deposited in said place of deposite, and shall perform all the duties required by law to be performed by assistant treasurers of the Confederate States, who shall give a bond with sureties for the faithful discharge of the duties of his office, which bond shall be for the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, and the sureties shall be approved by the Secretary of the Treasury: Provided, That it shall not be necessary that each surety shall bind himself for the whole amount of the bond, but the aggregate amount for which the sureties are severally bound shall be equal to the full sum of one hundred thousand dollars: Provided, That each surety shall be bound for at least twenty thousand dollars.

        Assistant Treasurer's salary.

        To perform the duties of treasurer of the mint.

        SEC. 2. And it is further enacted, That the salary of said assistant treasurer shall be four thousand dollars per annum; and the said assistant treasurer shall also perform the duties of treasurer of the mint, without any further compensation than is herein provided.

APPROVED March 9, 1861.

CHAP. XXXV.--An Act further to provide for the organization of the Post Office Department.

March 9, 1861.

        Chiefs of bureaus, clerks and draftsman, in Post Office Department, and their salaries.

        Postmaster General authorized to increase clerical force.

        Messenger and laborers.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That to the Post Office Department there shall be a chief of the contract bureau, a chief of the appointment bureau, and a chief of the finance bureau, each of whom shall be entitled to an annual salary of two thousand five hundred dollars; also a chief clerk, who shall be entitled to an annual salary of fifteen hundred dollars; also a draftsman, for such time as his services may be required, at an annual salary of fifteen hundred dollars, or at that rate for a shorter period than one year; also ten clerks at an annual salary of twelve hundred dollars each, and ten additional clerks at an annual salary of one thousand dollars each. And the Postmaster General is hereby authorized to employ such other clerical force in his department as the exigencies of the public service may absolutely demand, the salaries of such superadded clerks to be so employed by him not to exceed one thousand dollars each; but this power, together with the tenure of such appointees, shall extend no longer than the end of the first session of the next Congress. And he may also employ one messenger, at an annual salary of five hundred dollars; and also two laborers, at an expense of not more than one dollar and fifty cents each per day.

        Act creating clerical force in the Post-Office Department, repealed.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That so much of an act entitled "An act to create the clerical force of the several executive departments of the Confederate States of America, and for other purposes," as relates to the Post Office Department of the Confederate States be and the same is hereby repealed.

        Transfer of clerks from one bureau to another.

        SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Postmaster General shall have the general power to transfer the clerks authorized by this act from any one bureau to another, according to the exigencies of the public service.

APPROVED March 9, 1861.

CHAP. XXXVI.--An Act to fix the pay of the Members of the Congress of the Confederate States of America.

March 11, 1861.

        Pay and mileage of members of Congress.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the pay of the members of Congress shall be eight dollars per day during the session, and that each member shall be allowed ten cents per mile for coming to and ten cents per mile for returning from the place where Congress may assemble for each session, to be computed by the usual mail route from his residence to the seat of government.

        Same of the President of Congress.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the pay of the President of Congress shall be sixteen dollars per day, and the same mileage as the members.

APPROVED March 11, 1861.

CHAP. XXXVII.--An Act making appropriations for the support of Three Thousand Men for twelve months, to be called into service at Charleston, South Carolina, under the third and fourth sections of An Act of the Congress "To raise Provisional Forces for the Confederate States of America, and for other purposes."

March 11, 1861.

        Appropriation for support of the Provisional troops.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the following appropriations be made for the support of the provisional troops called into service by the act aforesaid: Pay of the troops, six hundred and fifty-eight thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. Forage for officers' horses and quartermasters' animals and cavalry horses, twenty thousand six hundred and sixty-two dollars. Subsistence for troops, two hundred and seventy thousand dollars. Clothing for the troops two hundred thousand dollars. Camp and garrison equipage, eighteen thousand two hundred and sixty-seven dollars and seventy-two cents. Supplies for the quartermasters' department, seventy-six thousand one hundred and sixty dollars. Fuel for troops and hospitals, fifty-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven dollars. Medical and hospital department, twenty thousand dollars.

        And for additional troops to be called into service.

        SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the additional sum of eight hundred and sixty thousand two hundred and twenty-eight dollars and forty-five cents is hereby appropriated for the support of two thousand additional troops to be called into the service of the Confederate States for twelve months, at Charleston, South Carolina, whenever in the discretion of the President their services may be required.

APPROVED March 11, 1861.

CHAP. XXXVIII.--An Act making appropriations for the support of the Regular Army of the Confederate States of America for twelve months, and for other purposes.

March 11, 1861.

        Appropriations for the support of the regular army.

        Proviso.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the following appropriations are made for the support of the regular army for twelve months, viz.: For expenses of recruiting and for transportation of recruits, one hundred and ninety-two thousand five hundred dollars. Pay of the army, two millions seventy thousand four hundred and eighty-four dollars. Forage for officers' horses and for cavalry and light artillery horses, one hundred and seven thousand two hundred dollars. Subsistence for troops, nine hundred and twelve thousand five hundred dollars. Clothing for the army, six hundred and forty-eight thousand seven hundred and eighty dollars. Camp and garrison equipage, sixty thousand dollars. Supplies for the quartermaster's department--consisting of fuel for the officers, enlisted men,

guards, hospitals, storehouses and offices; of forage in kind for the horses, mules and oxen of the quartermaster's department, at the several posts and stations and with the armies in the field; of postage on letters and packets received and sent by officers of the army on public service; expenses of courts martial and courts of enquiry, including the additional compensation of judge advocates, recorders, members and witnesses, while in that service; extra pay to soldiers employed under the direction of the quartermaster's department in the erection of barracks, quarters, storehouses and hospitals, for constant labor for periods of not less than ten days, including those employed as clerks; expense of interment of officers killed in action, or who die when on duty in the field, or at the posts on the frontiers, and of non-commissioned officers and soldiers; authorized office furniture; hire of laborers in the quartermaster's department; compensation of clerks of the officers of the quartermaster's department; for the apprehension of deserters and the expenses incident to their pursuit; for the following expenses required for the regiment of cavalry and for the four batteries of light artillery; namely, the purchase of travelling forges, blacksmith's and shoeing tools, horse and mule shoes and nails, iron and steel for shoeing; medicine for horses and mules; picket ropes, and for shoeing the horses of the corps named--three hundred and fifty-three thousand nine hundred and fifty-six dollars. For constructing barracks and other buildings at posts which it may be necessary to occupy during the year, and for repairing, altering and enlarging buildings at the established posts, including hire or commutation of quarters for officers on military duty, hire of quarters for troops, of storehouses for the safe keeping of military stores, and of grounds for summer cantonments and for temporary frontier stations, for commutation of forage for officers' horses when it cannot be drawn in kind, three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. For mileage, or the allowance made to officers of the army for the transportation of themselves and their baggage when travelling on duty without troops, escorts or supplies, thirty-five thousand dollars: Provided, That mileage shall not be allowed when the officer has been transferred or relieved at his own request. For transportation of the army--including the baggage of the troops when moving either by land or water, of horse equipments, and of subsistence--from the places of purchase, and from the places of delivery under contract, to such places as the circumstances of the service may require them to be sent, of ordnance, ordnance stores and small arms, freights, wharfage, tolls, and ferriages, hire of horses, mules and oxen, and the purchase and repair of wagons, carts and drays, and of ships and other sea going vessels required for the transportation of supplies and for garrison purposes, for drayage and cartage at the several posts, hire of teamsters, transportation of funds for the disbursing departments, the expense of public transports on the various rivers, the gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic, six hundred and fifty thousand dollars. For the purchase of horses for the regiment of cavalry and four batteries of light artillery, one hundred and sixty-three thousand two hundred dollars. Contingencies of the army, fifteen thousand dollars. For the medical and hospital departments, seventy-five thousand dollars. Contingencies of the adjutant general's department, six hundred dollars. Armament of fortifications and purchase of light artillery, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Purchase, manufacture and alteration of small arms, four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. For ordnance, ordnance stores and supplies, including horse equipments for the regiment of cavalry and for light batteries, one hundred and ninety-nine thousand five hundred and forty dollars.

        Secretary of War may apply any part of appropriations to support of the Provisional forces.

        SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of War, under the direction of the President, be and he is hereby authorized to apply any portion of the appropriations made by this act to the support of the provisional forces which may be called into service, whenever in his opinion the same may be necessary.

APPROVED March 11, 1861.

CHAP. XXXIX.--An Act to establish a Court of Admiralty and Maritime Jurisdiction at Key West, in the State of Florida.

March 11, 1861.

        Court of Admiralty at Key West, State of Florida.

        Jurisdiction.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That a court of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction at Key West, in the State of Florida, shall be and is hereby created, which shall have cognizance of all civil causes of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, including all seizures under the revenue laws or laws of navigation and trade of the Confederate States, when the seizures are made or cause of complaint arises on waters which are navigable from the sea by vessels of ten or more tons burden, as well as upon the high seas, saving to suitors in all cases the right of a common law remedy, where the remedy at common law is ample and complete. The said court shall exercise jurisdiction in all that part of the State of Florida which lies south of a line drawn due east and west from the northern point of Charlotte Harbor, including the islands, keys, reefs, shoals, harbors, bays and inlets south of said line.

        SEC. 2. The said court shall also have cognizance of all crimes and offences cognizable under the authority of the Confederate States arising upon the high seas and within the territorial limits aforesaid. And until otherwise provided by law of Congress, the laws of the United States in regard to crimes and offences, and to the mode of procedure, practice and trial in all criminal or penal cases, shall be in force and form the rule of practice and decision in the said court.

        Judge of said court, and his salary.

        Where to reside.

        Terms of court.

        Extra session.

        SEC. 3. There shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of Congress, a judge of said court, for the term prescribed by the Constitution, who shall receive compensation at the rate of three thousand five hundred dollars per annum, payable quarterly. The judge shall reside at Key West, in the State aforesaid, and shall hold two regular terms of said court in each year, at Key West, the one commencing on the first Monday of May, the other on the first Monday of November in each year; and shall hold extra sessions of the same from time to time, at such places in said district as occasion may require, to dispatch the business of said court. And the said court shall be at all times open for the purpose of hearing and determining all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction.

        Marshal and clerk.

        Their fees.

        SEC. 4. The said judge shall also appoint a marshall and a clerk for said court, who shall be in all respects subject to the provisions of the act entitled "An Act to establish the judicial courts of the Confederate States of America," so far as the same relates to the bonds, oaths, qualifications, powers, duties, liabilities and official conduct of the clerks or marshals respectively, and to the remedy for any violation of duty, breach of bond or other official delinquency. And they shall also have the same fees for their respective service as in said act are prescribed.

        Residence of clerk, and his duties.

        Marshal to attend court, may appoint deputies.

        SEC. 5. The clerk shall reside and keep the records of the court at the place of holding the same, and it shall also be his duty to attend the sittings of the said court wherever held, and keep a record of its acts and proceedings, as if held at the regular place of holding the

same. The said marshal shall also attend the said court wherever holden, and shall have power to appoint as many deputies as he may deem necessary, for whose official acts he shall be bound as for his own.

        Appeals and writs of error.

        SEC. 6. Appeals may be allowed and writs of error sued out from said court to the supreme court of the Confederate States, in the same manner and upon the same terms as from a district court of the Confederate States.

        Judge to appoint an attorney.

        His duties,

        and compensation.

        SEC. 7. The said judge shall also appoint for said court a fit person, learned in law, to act as attorney for the Confederate States in all matrers touching their interest, and in all crimes and offences against their laws. He shall receive for his services a salary of two hundred dollars per annum, payable quarterly, and the further sum of five dollars a day for each day that he may attend said court when in actual session.

        Business of wrecking on the coast of Florida.

        Judge may grant licenses.

        SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That no vessel, or any master thereof, shall be regularly employed in the business of wrecking on the coast of Florida without the license of the judge of said court; and before licensing any vessel or master, the judge shall be satisfied that the vessel is seaworthy and properly and sufficiently equipped and fitted for the business of saving property shipwrecked and in distress, and that the master thereof is trustworthy and innocent of any fraud or misconduct in relation to any property shipwrecked or saved on said coast.

        When the court to conform to the practice of the District Courts.

        May make rules of practice.

        SEC. 9. That the said court shall conform to the practice of the district courts when exercising admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, and shall moreover have power to make rules to govern the practice therein, not inconsistent with the laws of the Confederate States.

        Writs and process.

        SEC. 10. All writs and process, either mesne or final, which shall issue from said court, shall bear test of the judge of said court, and shall be under the seal and signed by the clerk thereof.

        When act takes effect.

        SEC. 11. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the passage thereof.

APPROVED March 11, 1861.

CHAP. XL.--An Act making appropriations to carry out the provisions of "An Act to Provide for the Public Defence."

March 12, 1861.

        Appropriation for the public defence, and for pay, etc, of volunteer forces.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That to enable the President to carry into effect the provisions of the act of the Congress of the Confederate States, entitled "An act to provide for the public defence," and to provide for the pay, subsistence and transportation of such volunteer forces as may be called into service by authority of the said act, the sum of five millions of dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, be and the same is hereby appropriated from any moneys in the treasury, not otherwise appropriated.

APPROVED March 12, 1861.

CHAP. XLI.--An Act amendatory of An Act for the organization of the Staff Departments of the Army, and An Act for the establishment and organization of the Army of the Confederate States of America.

March 14, 1861.

        Adjutant and Inspector General's Department re-organized.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the adjutant and inspector general's department shall consist of two assistant adjutants general with the rank of lieutenant colonel, two

assistant adjutants general with the rank of major, and four assistant adjutants general with the rank of captain.

        Brigadier General added to those heretofore appointed.

        May be assigned to the duty of Adjutant and Inspector General.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That there shall be added one brigadier general to those heretofore authorized by law, and that any one of the brigadier generals of the army of the Confederate States may be assigned to the duty of adjutant and inspector general, at the discretion of the President.

        Quartermaster General's Department re-organized.

        SEC. 3. Be it further enacted, That the quartermaster general's department shall consist of one quartermaster general with the rank of colonel, one assistant quartermaster general with the rank of lieutenant colonel, four assistant quartermasters with the rank of major, and such other officers in that department as are already provided by law.

        Commissary General's Department re-organized.

        SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That the commissary general's department shall consist of one commissary general with the rank of colonel, one commissary with the rank of lieutenant colonel, one commissary with the rank of major, and three commissaries with the rank of captain; and as many assistant commissaries as may from time to time be required by the service may be detailed by the War Department from the subalterns of the line, who, in addition to their pay in the line, shall receive twenty dollars per month while engaged in that service.

        Commissions to officers of U. S. army who have resigned and been appointed to original vacancies in the army of the C. S., to bear the same date.

        SEC. 5. Be it further enacted, That in all cases of officers who have resigned, or who may within six months tender their resignations from the army of the United States, and who have been or may be appointed to original vacancies in the army of the Confederate States, the commissions issued shall bear one and the same date, so that the relative rank of officers of each grade shall be determined by their former commissions in the United States army, held anterior to the secession of these Confederate States from the United States.

        Oath prescribed for officers, non-commissioned officrs, musicians and privates.

        SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That every officer, non-commissioned officer, musician and private shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation, to-wit: I, A. B., do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that while I continue in the service I will bear true faith and yield obedience to the Confederate States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against their enemies, and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the Confederate States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and articles of war.

        Laws militating against this act, repealed.

        SEC. 7. Be it further enacted, That all laws and parts of laws militating against this act be and the same are hereby repealed.

APPROVED March 14, 1861.

CHAP. XLII.--An Act to regulate Foreign Coins in the Confederate States.

March 14, 1861.

        Laws of the U. S. for the regulation of the mints and branch mints, declared to be in force.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That all laws and parts of laws now in force for the regulation of the mint and branch mints of the United States, and for the government of the officers and persons employed therein, and for the punishment of all offences connected with the mint or coinage of the United States, shall be and they are hereby declared to be in full force in relation to the mints of New Orleans and Dahlonega.

        Also the laws of the U. S. in reference to coins, and coinage.

        SEC. 2. That all laws now in force in reference to the coins of the United States, and the striking and coining the same, shall, as far as applicable, have full force and effect in relation to the coins therein authorized, whether the said laws are penal or otherwise, and whether they are for preventing counterfeiting or debasement, for protecting the

currency, for regulating and guarding the process of striking and coining and the preparations therefor, or for the security of the coin, or for any other purpose.

        Silver coins issued under act of the U. S. of 21st Feb. and 3rd March, 1853, made legal tenders.

        SEC. 3. That the silver coins issued in conformity with the law[s] of the United States of twenty-first of February and third of March, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, shall be legal tenders in payment of debts for all sums not exceeding ten dollars, all laws to the contrary notwithstanding.

        Foreign gold coin to pass current as money at certain rates.

        SEC 4. That the following foreign gold coins shall pass current as money within the Confederate States of America, and be receivable for the payment of all debts and demands at the following rates, that is to say: The sovereign of England, of no less a weight than five pennyweights and three grams, and of the fineness of (915½) nine hundred and fifteen and one-half thousandths, shall be deemed equal to four dollars and eighty-two cents. The Napoleon, of the weight of not less than (4 dwts., 3½ grs.,) four pennyweights three grains and one-half, and of a fineness of not less than (899) eight hundred ninety-ninth thousandths, shall be deemed equal to three dollars and eighty-two cents. The Spanish and Mexican doubloons, of no less a weight than (17 dwts., 8½ grs.,) seventeen pennyweights eight grains and one-half, and of the fineness of not less than (899) eight hundred ninety-ninth thousandths, shall be deemed equal to fifteen dollars and fifty-three cents.

        Silver coins to pass current as money at certain rates.

        SEC. 5. That the following silver coins shall pass current as money within the Confederate States of America, and be receivable in payment for all debts and demands at the following rates, that is to say: The American dollar, (412½g.) four hundred and twelve and one-half grains, and the dollar of Mexico, of not less than (897) eight hundred ninety-seventh-thousandths in fineness and (415g.) four hundred fifteen grains in weight, shall be deemed equal to one dollar and two cents. The five-franc piece, of not less than (900) nine hundred thousandths in fineness and (384) three hundred eighty-four grains in weight, shall be deemed equal to ninety-five cents.

        Laws repealed.

        Be it further enacted, That all laws and parts of laws inconsistent with this act be and the same are hereby repealed.

APPROVED March 14, 1861.

CHAP. XLIII.--An Act making appropriations for the Legislative, Executive and Judicial expenses of Government, for the year ending fourth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.

March 15, 1861.

        Appropriations.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the following sums be, and the same are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the objects hereafter expressed, for the year ending the fourth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, namely:

        Legislative.

        Legislative.--For compensation and mileage of members of Congress, twenty-six thousand seven hundred and forty dollars.

        For compensation of the officers, clerks and messengers, and others employed by Congress, nine thousand dollars.

        For the contingent expenses of Congress, twenty thousand dollars.

        Executive.

        Executive.--For compensation of the President of the Confederate States, twenty-five thousand dollars.

        For compensation of the Vice President of the Confederate States, six thousand dollars.

        For compensation of the private secretary of the President, and messenger, one thousand seven hundred dollars.

        For contingent expenses of the executive office, three hundred and fifty dollars.

        Departments of State.

        Department of State.--For compensation of the Secretary of State, and assistant secretary, clerks and messenger, twelve thousand two hundred dollars.

        For the incidental and contingent expenses of said department, thirty-two thousand dollars.

        Treasury Department.

        Treasury Department.--For compensation of Secretary of the Treasury, assistant secretary of the treasury, comptroller, auditor, treasurer and register, clerks and messengers, including those employed in the several bureaus of the Treasury Department, fifty-eight thousand eight hundred dollars.

        For the incidental and contingent expenses of said department, including the bureaus, twelve thousand dollars.

        War Department.

        War Department.--For compensation of Secretary of War, chief of bureau, clerks and messengers, including the clerks and messengers in the several offices of adjutant general, quartermaster general, commissary general, surgeon general, chief engineer and artillery, thirty-four thousand dollars.

        For incidental and contingent expenses of said department, twenty-five thousand dollars.

        Navy Department.

        Navy Department.--For compensation of Secretary of the Navy, clerks and messengers in his office, twelve thousand three hundred dollars.

        For the incidental and contingent expenses of the Navy Department, five thousand dollars.

        Post-Office Department.

        Post-Office Department.--For compensation of the Postmaster General, clerks and messengers in his office, twenty-nine thousand nine hundred dollars.

        For incidental and contingent expenses of the Post-Office Department, fifteen thousand dollars.

        Department of Justice.

        Department of Justice.--For compensation of the Attorney General, clerks and messengers in his department, ten thousand two hundred dollars.

        For incidental and contingent expenses of said department, three thousand dollars.

        Judiciary.

        Judiciary.--For salaries of judges, attorneys, marshals, and incidental and contingent expenses of courts, fifty thousand dollars.

        Mint and Independent Treasury.

        Mint and Independent Treasury.--For compensation of officers, incidental and contingent expenses, including wages of workmen and pay of laborers, if necessary, for the mints and independent treasury, the sum of eighty thousand dollars.

        Foreign Intercourse.

        Foreign Intercourse.--For salaries of ministers, commissioners, secretaries or other officers employed by the government in relation to intercourse with foreign governments, and for incidental, miscellaneous and contingent necessities and expenses connected with said intercourse with foreign nations, one hundred thousand dollars.

        Lighthouses.

        Lighthouses.--For supplying the lighthouses and beacon lights with oil, wicks, glass, chimneys, and other expenses of the same, repairing and keeping in repair the lighting apparatus, salaries of keepers and assistants within the jurisdiction of the Confederate States, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

        Expenses of collecting Revenue.

        Expenses of Collecting Revenue.--For expenses of collecting revenue from customs at the several ports of entry and delivery as now established by law, and which may hereafter be designated under the authority given to the Secretary of the Treasury, in the respective States of the Confederate States of America, five hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.

        For expenses of engraving bonds or certificates of stock, under the acts to raise money for the support of the government, and to provide for the defence of the Confederate States of America, and to issue treasury notes, twenty thousand dollars.

        Executive Mansion.

        Executive Mansion.--For rent of house for President of Confederate States, five thousand dollars.

        Miscellaneous.

        Miscellaneous.--For necessities and exigencies under laws already passed, or which may be passed, or from causes which now exist, or may hereafter arise, and unforeseen emergencies, there is hereby appropriated the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, subject to the requisition and under the control of the President of the Confederate States of America.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. XLIV.--An Act to authorize the appointment of Commercial Agents or Consuls to foreign ports.

March 15, 1861.

        President to appoint commercial agents or consuls.

        Their fees.

        Proviso.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the President be, and he is hereby authorised, to appoint such commercial agents or consuls, as in his opinion the commercial interests of the Confederacy may require; and all such commercial agents or consuls shall charge the fees usual under the laws of the United States: Provided, however, That the amounts of money obtained by said fees shall be reported to the Treasury Department, and the salaries shall not be greater than the laws of the United States allow.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. XLV.--An Act to authorize the construction or purchase of ten Gun boats.

March 15, 1861.

        Steam gun-boats to be constructed or purchased for coast defence.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the President be, and he is hereby authorised, to cause to be constructed or purchased ten steam gun-boats, for coast defence, whereof five shall be of a tonnage not exceeding seven hundred and fifty tons, and five of a tonnage not exceeding one thousand tons.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. XLVI.--An Act to define and fix the pay of the Officers of the Congress of the Provisional Governments.

March 15, 1861.

        Compensation of the Secretary of Congress, assistant secretary, journal clerk, reading clerk, door-keeper and messenger.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of the Congress shall receive an annual compensation of twenty-five hundred dollars, and at that rate during the continuance of the Provisional Government; that the assistant secretary, journal clerk and reading clerk shall each receive an annual compensation of two thousand dollars, as aforesaid; that the door-keeper shall receive an annual compensation of twelve hundred dollars, as aforesaid; that the messenger shall receive an annual compensation of one thousand dollars, as aforesaid.

        Of extra clerk employed to enroll or engross the acts.

        SEC. 2. That the extra clerk employed by the day to enroll or engross the acts of the Congress, shall receive six dollars per diem, to be paid on the warrant of the President of the Coegress.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. XLVII.--An Act to amend an act entitled "An act to establish a Court of Admiralty and Maritime Jurisdiction at Key West, in the State of Florida."

March 15, 1861.

        The President to appoint an attorney and marshal for the Court of Admiralty at Key West, Florida.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That so much of an act entitled "An act to establish a Court of Admiralty and Maritime Jurisdiction at Key West, in the State of Florida," as provides for the appointment of a district attorney and marshal of said court by the judge thereof, be and the same is hereby repealed; and it is hereby made the duty of the President of the Confederate States to appoint for said court a fit person, learned in the law, to act as attorney for the Confederate States in all crimes and offences against their laws, and in all other matters touching their interest. The President shall also appoint a marshal for said court; and said attorney and marshal shall receive such pay in every respect, and perform such services respectively as are provided for and required of attorneys and marshals by an act entitled "An act to establish the Judicial Courts of the Confederate States of America."

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. XLVIII.--An Act to appoint a Second Auditor of the Treasury.

March 15, 1861.

        The President to appoint Second Auditor of the Treasury.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That there shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, an additional officer for the Treasury Department, to be called the Second Auditor of the Treasury, who shall be charged with the auditing of accounts for the War Department, and who shall receive for his services a salary of three thousand dollars per annum.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. XLIX.--An Act vesting certain Powers in the Postmaster General.

March 15, 1861.

        The Postmaster General authorized to renew, provisionally, the contracts under which the postal service is now performed, and to continue in office the postmasters and other officers.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That in the event of a discontinuance of the postal service in any of the Confederate States, as now carried on by the government of the United States, before the Postmaster General of this Confederacy shall have prepared the new service, under the provisions of the act already passed by this Congress, it shall be lawful for the said Postmaster General to renew, provisionally, the contracts under which the service is now performed, and to continue in office the several postmasters and other officers now employed in such postal service, until he is prepared to replace said service and said officers by new contracts and appointments.

        And to advertise and enter into contracts for carrying the mail.

        SEC. 2. That the Postmaster General, at a time to be fixed by him, is hereby authorized to advertise and enter into contracts for carrying the mail with due celerity, certainty and security, on the post routes within the Confederate States, other than railroads and steamboats, in accordance with the acts passed by this Congress.

        Conveyance of mails, except by his authority, prohibited.

        SEC. 3. That after such contracts shall have been entered into, on and after a day to be designated by the proclamation of the Postmaster General, all conveyance of mails within the limits of the Confederate States, except by authority of the Postmaster General, is hereby prohibited.

        To issue circular instructions to postmasters and other officers performing service under the appointment of the U. S.

        SEC. 4. Be it further enacted, That the Postmaster General have power to issue circular instructions to the several postmasters and other officers still performing service under the appointment of the United States, in order to enforce the rendition of the proper accounts and payment of the moneys collected by them per account of the United States, until the Postmaster General shall have issued his proclamation announcing that the former service is discontinued and is replaced by the new service organized under the authority of this government.

        May allow express and other chartered companies to carry letters and other mail matter.

        Regulations concerning the pre-payment of postage on letters, etc., sent by companies.

        SEC. 5. That it shall be lawful for the Postmaster General to allow express and other chartered companies to carry letters and all mail matter of every description, whether the same be enclosed in stamped envelopes or pre-paid by stamps or money; but if the same be prepaid in money, the money shall be paid to some postmaster, who shall stamp the same paid, and shall account to the Post-Office Department for the same, in the same manner as for letters sent by the mail; but if prepaid by stamps, then the express or other company receiving such letters for delivery shall obliterate such stamps, under the penalty of five hundred dollars for each failure, to be recovered by action of debt in any court having jurisdiction thereof, in the name of the Postmaster General, for the use of the Confederate States; but if said letters or mail matter shall be received by such express or other company, not for delivery, but to be mailed, then the matter so carried shall be pre-paid at the same rate that the existing law requires it to be paid from the point where it may be received by such company to the point of its destination, and the postmaster, where such company may mail the same, shall deface the stamps upon the same.

        Oath required of agent of the company.

        SEC. 6. Be it further enacted, That each agent of any company who may carry letters under the provisions of this act, shall be required to take an oath that he will faithfully comply with the law of the Confederate States relating to the carrying of letters or other mail matter and obliterating postage stamps, which oath may be administered by any justice of the peace, and shall be in writing, and signed by such agent or messenger, and filed in the Post-Office Department.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. L.--An Act to amend the Laws relative to the Compensation of the Attorneys of the Confederate States.

March 15, 1861.

        Fees allowed attorneys of the C. S.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That in addition to the compensation now allowed by law to the attorneys of the Confederate States, there shall be hereafter allowed to them for their services to the Confederate States the following fees: For drafting the declaration writ information or other pleadings necessary to bring the cause to an issue, ten dollars; for arguing questions of law arising on the pleadings or demurrer, ten dollars--but not more than one such fee shall be allowed in any cause; for drawing indictments on criminal informations, five dollars; for collecting and paying over to the Confederate States, moneys, a commission of one per cent. on the amount collected and paid, whether the same have been collected on execution or otherwise; for attendance on a reference from the court to a master or commissioner, five dollars a day; for examining a land title and written opinion thereon, twenty dollars; for making abstract of title when required, twenty dollars; for examining and making report on any question or subject, when thereto required by the President

or any head of department, thirty dollars; for services in any suit in a State court in which it may be necessary to appear in behalf of the Confederate States, twenty dollars; for services in any case arising under the extradition treaties of the Confederate States, twenty-five dollars.

        When act takes effect.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That this act take effect and be in force from and after the passage thereof.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. LI.--An Act making appropriations for the Custom-Houses at New Orleans, and Charleston, and for other purposes.

March 15, 1861.

        Appropriation.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the following sums be and they are hereby appropriated for the objects hereafter expressed, for the year ending February the fourth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two:

        For Custom-House, at Charleston.

        Custom-House, Charleston, South Carolina.--For preserving unfinished work upon the Charleston custom-house, the sum of five thousand dollars.

        For Custom-House, at New Orleans.

        Custom-House, New Orleans.--For roof, and preserving unfinished work upon the custom-house at New Orleans, the sum of ten thousand dollars. For fitting up suitable rooms for the accommodation of the courts, and clerk's office at New Orleans, the sum of fifteen thousand dollars.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. LII.--An Act to establish the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

March 15, 1861.

        Bureau of Indian affairs, established.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That an additional bureau in the War Department be and the same is hereby established, to be known as the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and charged with the management of our relations with the Indian tribes.

        Commissioner of Indian affairs and clerk.

        Their salaries.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Congress, may appoint a Commissioner of Indian Affairs and one clerk, to take charge of the business of the bureau hereby established, the salary of the commissioner to be twenty-five hundred dollars per annum, and the salary of the clerk fifteen hundred dollars per annum.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. LIII.--An Act to exempt from Duty certain articles of Merchandise therein named.

March 15, 1861.

        The duty on commodities bona fide purchased or contracted for on or before the 18th Feb., 1861, within the late U. S.--remitted.

        Proviso.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and empowered to remit the duty in all cases where commodities were bona fide purchased or contracted for on or before the 18th day of February last, within the late United States, where the importer has not been able to comply with the provisions of the act to define more accurately the exemption of certain goods from duty, which required that the goods, wares and merchandise should have been actually laden on board of the exporting vessel or conveyance destined for any port in this Confederacy

on or before the fifteenth day of March in the present year: Provided, Such testimony is furnished the Secretary of the Treasury by the importer that it was impossible to comply with the provisions of said act, and also the demand and collection of said duty has operated injuriously to him or them beyond the commercial effect upon articles of consumption by the imposition of duties.

        Books, etc., published by any church or benevolent society, exempted from duty.

        SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That all books, pamphlets and tracts and other publications printed and published by any church or benevolent society, whose organization extends to and embraces citizens of the Confederate States, shall be free and exempt from duty.

        Facts entitling a party to the benefits of this act, to be established.

        SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That all facts herein required to exist in order to entitle a party to the benefits of this act, shall be established to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the Treasury, in a manner to be prescribed by him.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. LIV.--An Act to fix the Duties on Articles therein named.

March 15, 1861.

        Ad valorem duty imposed on certain articles imported.

        The Congress of the] Confederate States of America do enact, That an ad valorem duty of fifteen per cent. shall be imposed on the following named articles imported from abroad into the Confederate States of America, in lieu of the duties now imposed by law, to wit: Coal, cheese, iron in blooms, pigs, bars, bolts and slabs, and on all iron in a less manufactured state; also on railroad rails, spikes, fishing plates, and chairs used in the construction of railroads; paper of all sorts and all manufactures of; wood, unmanufactured, of all sorts.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. LV.--An Act making appropriations for the support of the Navy for the year ending fourth February, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.

March 15, 1861.

        Appropriations for the Navy for the year ending the 4th Feb., 1862.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America] do enact, That the following sums be and the same are hereby appropriated for the objects hereinafter expressed, for the year ending the fourth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, namely:

        For officers on duty and off duty.

        1st. For the pay of officers of the navy on duty and off duty, based upon the presumption that all the grades authorized by the act of eighteen hundred and sixty-one will be filled, one hundred and thirty-one thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars.

        For marine corps.

        2d. For the pay of officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates of the marine corps, one hundred and seventy-five thousand five hundred and twelve dollars.

        For provisions and clothing and contingencies in paymaster's department.

        3d. For provisions and clothing and contingencies in paymaster's department, one hundred and thirty-three thousand eight hundred and sixty dollars.

        For warrant and petty officers, seamen, etc, and engineer's department.

        4th. For the pay of warrant and petty officers, and of five hundred seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen and boys, and engineer's department, one hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars.

        For coal for steamers.

        5th. For expenditures which will be required for coal for the use of steamers, two hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars.

        For steam gunboats.

        6th. For the probable cost of ten steam gunboats for coast defences of the Confederate States, to be built or purchased, as may be most convenient, one million one hundred thousand dollars.

        For steam sloop Fulton.

        7th. For the probable cost of completing and equipping the steam sloop Fulton, now at the Pensacola navy yard, twenty-five thousand dollars.

        For pay of officers and others at the Navy Yard, Pensacola.

        8th. For the pay of officers and others at the navy yard, Pensacola, fifty-four thousand three hundred and sixty-three dollars.

        For clerks at the Navy Department.

        9th. For compensation of four clerks on duty at the Navy Department, as per act of eleventh of March, at fifteen hundred dollars each, six thousand dollars.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. LVI.--An Act to authorize the transit of Merchandise through the Confederate States.

March 15, 1861.

        Merchandise imported may be entered and have transit through the C. S. free of duty.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That goods, wares and merchandise imported from any foreign country into the Confederate States, destined for any foreign country, may be entered and have transit through the Confederate States free of duty, subject to such regulations as the Secretary of the Treasury from time to time shall make; and the said Secretary of Treasury shall have power to make such regulations as he may deem expedient for the safey of the revenue and for the public convenience, which regulations may be enforced in the manner prescribed by law as to other regulations in relation to the revenue.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. LVII.--An Act to repeal the Third Section of "An Act to exempt from Duty certain commodities therein named, and for other purposes."

March 15, 1861.

        The 3d section of the act of Feb. 18th. 1861, exempting certain commodities from duty, repealed.

        Tariff laws to apply to the State of Texas.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the third section of an act passed February eighteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-one, entitled "An act to exempt from duty certain commodities therein named and for other purposes," be and the same is hereby repealed; and that the tariff laws shall apply to the State of Texas from the date of her admission into this Confederacy in the same manner as the same apply to the other States.

APPROVED March 15, 1861.

CHAP. LVIII.--An Act to provide for the Organization of the Navy.

March 16, 1861.

        The President authorized to appoint commissioned officers of the Navy.

        and to employ masters, midshipmen, etc.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the President be authorized to appoint, in the manner prescribed by law, the following commissioned officers of the navy, viz: four captains, four commanders, thirty lieutenants, five surgeons, five assistant surgeons, six paymasters and two chief engineers, and to employ as many masters, midshipmen, engineers, naval constructors, boatswains, gunners, carpenters, sailmakers and other warrant and petty officers and seamen as he may deem necessary, not to exceed in the aggregate three thousand.

        Annual pay of naval officers:

        of Captains;

        SEC. 2. The annual pay of said officers shall be as follows, viz: Captains.]--Captains, when commanding squadrons, five thousand dollars.

        All other captains on duty at sea, four thousand two hundred dollars.

        On other duty, three thousand six hundred dollars.

        When on leave or waiting orders, three thousand dollars.

        of Commanders;

        Commanders.--Every commander on duty at sea, for the first five years after the date of his commission, two thousand eight hundred and twenty-five dollars.

        For the second five years after the date of his commission, three thousand one hundred and fifty dollars.

        Every commander on other duty, for the first five years after the date of his commission, two thousand six hundred and sixty-two dollars.

        For the second five years after the date of his commission, two thousand eight hundred and twenty-five dollars.

        All other commanders, two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

        Lieutenants commanding at sea, two thousand five hundred and fifty dollars.

        of Lieutenants;

        Lieutenants.--Every lieutenant on duty at sea, one thousand five hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen seven years' sea service in the navy, one thousand seven hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen nine years' sea service, one thousand nine hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen eleven years' sea service, two thousand one hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen thirteen years' sea service, two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

        Every lieutenant on other duty shall receive one thousand five hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen seven years' sea service in the navy, one thousand six hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen nine years' sea service, one thousand seven hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen eleven years' sea service, one thousand eight hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen thirteen years' sea service, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five dollars.

        Every lieutenant on leave or waiting orders, one thousand two hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen seven years' sea service in the navy, one thousand two hundred and sixty-six dollars.

        After he shall have seen nine years' sea service, one thousand three hundred and thirty-three dollars.

        After he shall have seen eleven years' sea service, one thousand four hundred dollars.

        After he shall have seen thirteen years' sea service, one thousand four hundred and fifty dollars.

        of Masters;

        Masters.--Every master in the line of promotion, when on duty as such at sea, one thousand two hundred dollars.

        When on other duty, one thousand one hundred dollars.

        When on leave or waiting orders, eight hundred and twenty-five dollars.

        of Midshipmen;

        Midshipmen.--Every midshipman at sea, five hundred and fifty dollars.

        When on other duty, five hundred dollars.

        When on leave or waiting orders, four hundred and fifty dollars.

        of Surgeons;

        Surgeons.--Every surgeon on duty at sea, for the first five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand two hundred dollars.

        For the second five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand four hundred dollars.

        For the third five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand six hundred dollars.

        For the fourth five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand eight hundred dollars.

        For twenty years' service and upwards, after the date of his commission as surgeon, three thousand dollars.

        Fleet surgeons, three thousand three hundred dollars.

        Every surgeon on other duty, for the first five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand dollars.

        For the second five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand two hundred dollars.

        For the third five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand four hundred dollars.

        For the fourth five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand six hundred dollars.

        For twenty years' service after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand eight hundred dollars.

        Every surgeon on leave or waiting orders, for the first five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, one thousand six hundred dollars.

        For the second five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, one thousand eight hundred dollars.

        For the third five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, one thousand nine hundred dollars.

        For the fourth five years after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand one hundred dollars.

        For twenty years' service and upwards, after the date of his commission as surgeon, two thousand three hundred dollars.

        of Assisstant Surgeons;

        Assistant Surgeons.--Every assistant surgeon on duty at sea, one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

        When on other duty, one thousand and fifty dollars.

        When on leave or waiting orders, eight hundred dollars.

        of Paymasters;

        Paymasters.--Every paymaster on duty at sea, for the first five years after the date of his commission, two thousand dollars.

        For the second five years after the date of his commission, two thousand four hundred dollars.

        For the third five years after the date of his commission, two thousand six hundred dollars.

        For the fourth five years after the date of his commission, two thousand nine hundred dollars.

        For twenty years and upwards after the date of his commission, three thousand one hundred dollars.

        Every paymaster on other duty, for the first five years after the date of his commission, one thousand eight hundred dollars

        For the second five years after the date of his commission, two thousand one hundred dollars.

        For the third five years after the date of his commission, two thousand four hundred dollars

        For the fourth five years after the date of his commission, two thousand six hundred dollars.

        For twenty years' service and upwards, after the date of his commission, two thousand eight hundred dollars.

        Every paymaster on leave or waiting orders, for the first five years after the date of his commission, one thousand four hundred dollars.

        For the second five years after the date of his commission, one thousand six hundred dollars.

        For the third five years after the date of his commission, one thousand eight hundred dollars.

        For the fourth five years after the date of his commission, two thousand dollars.

        For twenty years' service and upwards after the date of his commission, two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

        of Engineers:

        Engineers.--Every chief engineer on duty, for the first five years after the date of his commission, one thousand eight hundred dollars.

        For the second five years after the date of his commission, two thousand two hundred dollars.

        For the third five years after the date of his commission, two thousand four hundred and fifty dollars.

        After fifteen years after the date of his commission, two thousand six hundred dollars.

        Every chief engineer on leave or waiting orders, for the first five years after the date of his commission, one thousand two hundred dollars.

        For the second five years after the date of his commission, one thousand three hundred dollars.

        For the third five years after the date of his commission, one thousand four hundred dollars.

        After fifteen years' service after the date of his commission, one thousand five hundred dollars.

        Every first assistant engineer, on duty, one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

        When on leave or waiting orders, nine hundred dollars.

        Every second assistant engineer on duty, one thousand dollars.

        When on leave or waiting orders, seven hundred and fifty dollars.

        Every third assistant engineer on duty, seven hundred and fifty dollars.

        When on leave or waiting orders, six hundred dollars.

        of Warrant Officers.

        Warrant Officers.--Every boatswain, gunner, carpenter and sail-maker on duty at sea, for the first three years' sea service after the date of his warrant, one thousand dollars.

        For the second three years' sea service after the date of his warrant, one thousand one hundred and fifty dollars.

        For the third three years' sea service after the date of his warrant, one thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

        For the fourth three years' sea service after the date of his warrant, one thousand three hundred and fifty dollars.

        For twelve years' sea service and upwards, one thousand four hundred and fifty dollars.

        When on other duty:

        For the first three years of sea service after the date of warrant, eight hundred dollars.

        For the second three years' sea service after the date of his warrant, nine hundred dollars.

        For the third three years of sea service after the date of his warrant, one thousand dollars.

        For the fourth three years' sea service after the date of his warrant, one thousand one hundred dollars.

        For twelve years' sea service and upwards, one thousand two hundred dollars.

        When on leave or waiting orders:

        For the first three years sea service after the date of his warrant, six hundred dollars.

        For the second three years' sea service after the date of his warrant, seven hundred dollars.

        For the third three years' sea service after the date of his warrant, eight hundred dollars.

        For the fourth three years' sea service after the date of his warrant, nine hundred dollars.

        For twelve years' sea service and upwards, one thousand dollars.

        Commissioned officers may be appointed during recess of Congress.

        And be it further enacted, That the commissioned officers herein-before provided for, and who shall not be nominated before the adjournment of Congress, may be appointed by the President during the recess, to hold their commissions until the next session of Congress.

        Length of service of U. S. naval officers received into the service of the C. S., how computed.

        Sea service, defined.

        SEC. 3. In computing the length of service of such officers as were attached to the navy of the United States, but who have resigned, and have been or may be received into the service of the Confederate States, their period of service in the navy of the United States shall be included; and no service shall be regarded as sea service in the purview of said act but such as shall actually be performed at sea, and in vessels employed by authority of law.

        Pay of seamen to be determined by the President.

        SEC. 4. The pay of seamen of the navy shall be determined by the President, and may be altered by him from time to time as circumstances may require.

        Corps of marines. Their pay and allowances.

        SEC. 5. There shall be a corps of marines, to consist of one major, one quartermaster, one paymaster, one adjutant, one sergeant major, one quartermaster sergeant, and six companies, each company to consist of one captain, one first and one second lieutenant, four sergeants, four corporals, one hundred men and two musicians; and the pay and allowances of the officers and enlisted men shall be the same as that of the officers and enlisted men of like grade in the infantry of the army, except that the ration of the enlisted marines shall be the ration allowed by law to seamen.

        Officers attached to the Navy Department, and their duties.

        Secretary of the Navy to appoint one clerk to add each officer.

        His salary.

        SEC. 6. The following officers shall be attached to the Navy Department, to wit: An officer, not below the grade of commander, who shall be charged with the purchase or preparation of ordnance, ordnance stores and supplies and equipments, and with hydrography, and with such other duties as the Secretary of the Navy may from time to time assign to him; an officer not below the grade of lieutenant, to be designated as the officer of orders and detail, who shall, under the orders of the Secretary of the Navy, prepare and issue all orders and details for service, and who shall also, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, have charge of all matters and things connected with courts martial and courts of enquiry, and with the custody of all records and papers thereunto appertaining, and perform such other duties relating to the personnel of the navy, as the secretary may from time to time direct; a surgeon or an assistant surgeon, who shall, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, make all purchases of medicines and medical supplies for the navy, and perform such other duties appertaining to the medical department as the secretary may from time to time direct; a paymaster, who shall, under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, make all contracts for or purchases of provisions, clothing and coal for the use of the navy, and perform such other duties as the secretary may direct. The Secretary of the Navy is authorized to appoint one clerk to aid each of the above officers in the discharge of his duties, whose annual salary shall not exceed fifteen hundred dollars each; but the officers therein detailed for duty shall receive no compensation for their services beyond their regular pay as on other duty.

        Quartermaster required to visit the posts of the marine corps.

        SEC. 7. It shall be the duty of the quartermaster of the marine corps to visit the different posts where portions of the corps may be stationed, as often as may be necessary for the proper discharge of his duties.

        Regulations for the government of persons in the naval service.

        SEC. 8. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Navy to prepare and publish regulations for the general government of all persons connected with or employed in the naval service, which regulations shall

take effect as soon as they shall be approved by the President and published.

        Laws of the U. S. not inconsistent with this act, adopted.

        SEC. 9. All laws of the United States heretofore enacted for the government of the officers, seamen and marines of the navy of the United States, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, are hereby adopted and applied to the officers, seamen and marines of the navy of the Confederate States.

        Relative rank officers of the navy toward those of the army.

        SEC. 10. The President may determine the relative and assimilated rank which officers of the navy shall hold toward those of the army.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LIX.--An Act to provide for payment of Light Money in the Confederate States.

March 16, 1861.

        Light money on ships or vessels.

        Proviso.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That a duty of five cents per ton, to be denominated "Light Money," shall be levied and collected on all ships or vessels which, after the first day of May next, may enter the seaports of the Confederate States from any seaport, to be collected in the manner heretofore provided by law as to tonnage duties: Provided, however, That on all vessels trading regularly between ports of the Confederate States, the said duties shall not be levied and collected oftener than once in every three months.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LX.--An Act authorizing the President alone to make certain Appointments

March 16, 1861.

        Appointment of inferior officers to be made by the President.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That during the recess of this Congress the President shall have power to make appointments of such inferior officers, as by the Constitution of this Provisional Government the Congress has authority to vest in him alone, anything in any law heretofore passed to the contrary notwithstanding.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LXI.--An Act to establish the Judicial Courts of the Confederate States of America.

March 16, 1861.

        Annual session of Supreme Court.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the Supreme Court of the Confederate States shall hold annually, at the seat of government, one session, commencing the first Monday of January, and continue until the business of said court is disposed of.

        District Courts organized.

        Judges thereof, and their salaries.

        SEC. 2. That each of the Confederate States shall constitute one district, in which there shall be a court called a District Court, to consist of one judge, who shall reside in the state for which he is appointed, and shall receive a salary equal to that paid to a judge of the court of the highest jurisdiction in the state where he resides, payable quarterly.

        Adjournment of Supreme Court until a quorum be convened.

        And of District Court, in case of in ability of Judge to attend.

        In case of failure to hold court, process, etc., to be continued.

        SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That the Supreme Court may, by any one or more of its judges being present, be adjourned from day to day, until a quorum be convened; and that a district court, in case of the inability of the judge to attend at the commencement of a session, may be adjourned by the marshal of the district from day to day for three successive days, and at the close of the third day the same shall stand adjourned to the next regular term, if the judge do not appear; and in all cases of failure to hold the court, all process,

pleadings and proceedings, of what nature so ever, pending before the said court, shall be continued, of course.

        Marshal and clerks to be appointed.

        Subject to removal.

        Oath or affirmation.

        Bond and sureties.

        Deputy marshals.

        SEC. 4. There shall be a marshal and one or more clerks appointed for each court--the marshal by the President of the Confederate States, and the clerks by the judge of said court--and said clerks shall not be connected with the said judge by blood or marriage, who shall hold their offices during the provisional government, subject to removal by the said judge. They shall each take the oath or affirmation prescribed in the constitution, and for the faithful discharge of the duties of their respective offices. They shall each give bond with sureties, to be approved by the judge, for the faithful discharge of their respective duties, in the penalty and for the amount which may be prescribed by the judge; but that of the marshal in no instance shall be less than twenty thousand dollars. The marshal may appoint as many deputies as may be necessary, for whose acts he and his sureties shall be bound as for his own.

        Duties of marshals, and their deputies.

        Posse comitatus.

        SEC. 5. It shall be the duty of the marshal to attend the court when sitting in his district; and the marshal of the district in which the Supreme Court shall be held, shall attend the sessions of said court. He shall, by himself or his deputy, execute throughout his district all lawful precepts directed to him and issued under the authority of the Confederate States, and he shall have power to command a posse comitatus in the execution of his duty.

        How process to be directed where marshal or his deputy is a party.

        In case of death, etc. of marshal, his deputy to continue in office.

        Misfeasance in office of deputy, adjudged a breach of marshal's bond.

        Remedy of executor or administrator of deceased marshal, against his deputy for misfeasance in office.

        Marshal or his deputy to execute process, etc., till next term of court after his removal or the expiration of his term of office.

        Liability of marshal for prisoners in his custody.

        SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That in all cases in which the marshal or his deputy shall be a party, the writs and precepts therein shall be directed to some disinterested person, to be appointed by the court or judge thereof, and such person is hereby authorised to execute and return the same. And in case of the death, resignation or removal of any marshal, his deputy or deputies shall continue in office, unless otherwise removed, and shall execute the same in the name of the deceased, resigned or removed marshal, until another marshal shall be appointed and qualified; and the defaults or misfeasances in office of such deputy or deputies, in the meantime, as well as before, shall be adjudged a breach of the condition of the bond given as before directed, by the marshal who appointed them, and the executor or administrator of the deceased marshal shall have like remedy for the defaults and misfeasances in office of such deputy or deputies, during such interval, as the marshal would be entitled to if he had continued in life, or in office, and in the exercise of his said office, until his successor was appointed and qualified; and every marshal or deputy, when removed from office, or when the term for which the marshal is appointed shall expire, shall have power, notwithstanding, to execute all such precepts and process as may be in their hand[s] respectively at the time of such removal or expiration of office, until the next term of the court; and the marshal shall be held answerable for the delivery to his successor of all prisoners which may be in his custody at the time of his removal or resignation, or when the term for which he is appointed shall expire, and for that purpose may retain such prisoners in his custody until his successor shall be appointed and qualified as the law directs; or he may deliver his prisoners to the keeper of one of the jails of the state in which he is marshal, in cases where by law of such state it is made the duty of jailors to receive them.

        Writs and process.

        Seals of the courts.

        SEC. 7. All writs and process, either mesne or final, which shall issue from the Supreme Court, shall bear test in the name of either of the judges thereof; and all issued from the district court shall bear test of the judge of such court, and shall be under the seal of the

court from whence they issue, and be signed by the clerk thereof. The seals of the Supreme and district courts to be provided by the respective judges of the same.

        Time and place of holding District Courts.

        When District Judge of Louisiana required to hold his court out of New Orleans.

        SEC. 8. The judge of each district shall appoint the times and places of holding the courts in his district, and where, under the laws of the United States, his state was divided into two or more districts, he shall annually hold not less than two terms of his court in each of these districts, as they existed on the first day of November, 1860. But in Louisiana he shall only be required to hold his court out of New Orleans at such time or times as he may consider the public interest requires him to do, and the counties, districts or parishes which constitute the divisions of his district, shall be the same as those which constituted the districts under the laws aforesaid.

        Oath of Judges.

        SEC. 9. The said judges, before they proceed to execute the duties of their respective offices, shall take the oath or affirmation prescribed in the constitution, and shall also swear or affirm to administer justice, without respect to persons, and to do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and faithfully and impartially to perform and discharge all the duties of his office, agreeably to the constitution and laws of the Confederate States, to the best of his ability.

        Jurisdiction of District Courts.

        SEC. 10. The district courts shall have jurisdiction, concurrent with the courts of the several states, of all civil suits at common law or in equity where the matter in dispute, exclusive of costs, exceeds the sum or value of five thousand dollars, and where the character of the parties is such, as by the constitution to authorise said court to entertain jurisdiction. But no person shall be arrested or summoned in any such suit in one division of district for trial in another; and no civil suit shall be brought before any of said courts against an inhabitant of the Confederate States by any original process in any other district than that of which he is an inhabitant, nor shall any district court have cognizance of any suit to recover the contents of any promissory note, or other chose in action, in favor of an assignee or transferee, unless a suit might have been prosecuted in such court to recover such contents if no assignment or transfer had been made, except in cases of foreign bills of exchange.

        Suits upon joint bills, bonds, notes or obligations.

        SEC. 11. Upon joint bills, bonds, notes or obligations, suits may be brought against any one or more of the parties, except that separate suits shall not be brought against joint parties thereto residing in the same district; and when several actions shall be brought against persons who might be legally joined in one action, the plaintiff, if judgment be given in his favor, shall not recover the costs of more than one action.

        Suits in Equity.

        SEC. 12. Suits in equity shall not be sustained in any of the courts of the Confederate States in any case where plain, adequate remedy may be had at law. And in any state in which there is or may be no separate court of equity, the district court shall administer and decide on matters of equity according to the course of practice in the courts of such state.

        Laws of the several States to be the rule of decision of the courts of the C. S.

        Rule of property.

        SEC. 13. The laws of the several states, except where the constitution, treaties or statutes of the Confederate States shall otherwise require or provide, shall be regarded as rules of decision in the courts of the Confederate States, in cases where they apply. And where the decision of the highest court in a state has become a rule of property, the same shall be adopted as a rule in the courts of the Confederate States, in cases in which the laws of such state apply.

        Forms of process, and the modes of proceeding in the progress and trial of suits at law and in equity.

        New trials.

        SEC. 14. Except the style, the forms of writs and executions and other process, and the forms and modes of proceeding in the progress

and trial of suits, and in enforcing the judgments in the district courts of the Confederate States in cases at law, shall be the same in each of said states, respectively, as are now in use in the highest court of original general jurisdiction of the same; and in proceeding in equity, according to the principles, laws and rules which govern courts of equity in such state. And whenever any state shall, by law, change such forms or modes of proceeding in its own courts, such change shall be applicable to the forms and modes of proceeding in the said district courts held in such state, unless Congress shall otherwise provide by law. And the said district courts shall likewise have power to grant new trials.

        Costs and fees of clerks and marshals in the District Courts.

        Mileage.

        SEC. 15. The costs and fees of clerks and marshals in the said district courts shall be the same in all cases, both civil and criminal, as are allowed by the law of the state in which such court is held, for similar services, to the officers of such state in the highest court of original jurisdiction therein, except that the marshal shall be entitled to mileage at the rate of five cents per mile for the service of process on persons residing out of the county, district or parish in which the court is holden, such mileage to be computed for the distance actually travelled in the service of such process, upon the most direct route, computed from the place of holding such court; and if there be more than one defendant in the same case in one county, but one charge for mileage shall be made.

        Writs of injunction, scire facias and habeas corpus.

        SEC. 16. Both the district and supreme courts, and the judges thereof, out of term, shall have power to issue writs of injunction, scire facias and habeas corpus, and all other writs not specially provided for by statute, which may be necessary for the exercise of their respective jurisdictions, and agreeable to the principles and usages of law: Provided, That writs of habeas corpus shall, in no case, extend to prisoners, unless when they are in custody under or by virtue of the authority of the Confederate States.

        Depositions of witnesses in cases at law.

        Attendance of witnesses.

        Depositions of witnesses in suits in equity.

        Perpetuating testimony.

        Proviso as to depositions taken in Louisiana and Texas.

        SEC. 17. The rules for taking the deposition of any witnesses in a case at law, whose attendance cannot be procured, shall be the same as are in force by law in the highest court of original jurisdiction in the state in which such depositions are to be used; and they shall be read in evidence upon the trial of the cause, subject to all legal exceptions to which they would be liable in the said court of the state. No witness, under any circumstances, shall be compelled to attend a court in a civil cause in any other district or division than that in which he resides; and where his attendance cannot be procured, his deposition may be taken. In suits in equity, depositions shall be taken under a commission issued under the seal of the court, in the same manner and under the same rules and regulations in and by which depositions may be taken in the highest court of original equity jurisdiction in the state in which such depositions are to be used, and when so taken they shall be read upon the hearing of the cause, if subject to no legal exception; and the said district courts may, also, on application thereto as a court of equity, direct depositions to be taken to perpetuate testimony relating to matters cognizable in any court of the Confederate States, such depositions to be taken according to the law and practice in the state in which the order is made: Provided, That in Louisiana and Texas depositions may in all cases be taken according to the laws regulating the practice of the highest courts of original jurisdiction in these states.

        Judges of District Courts may appoint commissioners; their duties.

        Swearing falsely before commissioner.

        Fees allowed commissioners.

        Notary public may exercise authority vested in commissioners.

        SEC. 18. The judges of the several district courts may, each for his own district appoint as many commissioners as he may deem necessary, to administer oaths and take acknowledgements of deeds or other

papers, and take depositions, which acts of such commissioner shall have the same force and effect in all the Confederate States and the courts thereof as if done by a judge of such court. And any person swearing falsely in any oath or matter before such commissioner, shall, upon conviction, be liable to the same punishment, as if the oath had been made before such judge. And the same fees shall be allowed such commissioner as are allowed for similar services by the laws of the state in which they are performed. All the powers and authority conferred on commissioners in and by the preceding clause, are hereby vested in, and may be exercised by, any legally appointed notary public in any of the Confederate States.

        Parties may be heard in person or by counsel.

        SEC. 19. In all the courts of the Confederate States the parties shall have the right to be heard either by themselves or counsel.

        Lien of judgments and executions.

        Conflict between levies of process from the state and Federal courts; the first levy to have priority.

        SEC. 20. Where judgments are a mortgage or lien upon the property of the defendant in any of the states, they shall have the same effect or lien when rendered in one of the district courts of the Confederate States, as if rendered in a state court, and be subject to the same rules as to enrolment or recording of judgments or abstracts of judgments. And the lien of executions shall be the same as in the courts of the state where such district court sits. "But in all cases of conflict between levies of process from the state and federal courts, the first levy shall have priority."

        Mode of proof by oral testimony and examination of witnesses.

        Compensation of witnesses.

        Competency of witnesses, how determined.

        SEC. 21. The mode of proof by oral testimony and examination of witnesses in open court in trials at law shall be the same in the said district courts as in the court of the highest original jurisdiction in the State in which such trial takes place; and the compensation of witnesses shall likewise be the same. The rules to determine the competency of witnesses shall also be the same.

        Revival of suits.

        Suggestion of death on the record.

        When representative of deceased may be made a party.

        Revival by scire facias.

        SEC. 22. In any suit depending in any of the courts of the Confederate States if either of the parties should die and the cause of action should survive, such suit may be revived in the same manner as in similar cases in the courts of highest original jurisdiction in the State in which the cause is pending; and when there are two or more plaintiffs and defendants, and one or more of them should die, the suits shall not be thereby abated, but such death being suggested on the record, the suit may then proceed in the name of the survivor or survivors; or where the law of any State permits the representative of the deceased to be joined in such suit, the same may be done in the district court; or if the cause should be pending in the Supreme Court, then it may be revived by scire facias against the executor or administrator, issued from the office of the clerk of such court, returnable to the next term thereof, and duly served by the marshal twenty days before the sitting of such court.

        When district court may require production of books or writings as evidence.

        Judgment in case of failure to comply with the requisition.

        SEC. 23. The said district court shall have power in the trial of actions at law, on motion and due notice thereof, to require the parties to produce books or writings in their possession or power which contain evidence pertinent to the issue; and if the plaintiff shall fail to comply with such order, judgment of non-suit may be given against him; and if the defendant shall so fail, then judgment by default may be rendered against him.

        Contempts of court. How punished

        SEC. 24. The courts of the Confederate States shall have power to inflict punishment for contempts of court; but such power shall not be construed to extend to any cases except misbehavior in the presence of the court, or so near thereto as to obstruct the administration of justice, the misbehavior of any of the officers of said court in their official transactions, and the disobedience, resistance or obstruction, by any person whatsoever, of the process, order, rule, decree or command

of said courts; but such punishment shall not exceed the imposition of a fine of one hundred dollars and imprisonment during the term of the court.

        Jurors; their qualifications and exemptions.

        When jury may be summoned of the bystanders.

        Judge to direct the marshal as to the summoning of jurors.

        Compensation and mileage of jurors.

        SEC. 25. Jurors, in all cases, to serve in the courts of the Confederate States, shall have the like qualifications, and be entitled to the like exemptions, as jurors in the highest court of original jurisdiction of the state in which the district court is held, and shall be selected by lot or otherwise, according to the form and mode of forming such juries in the courts of the state, in so far as such mode may be practicable, and for this purpose, the district courts shall have power to make all rules and regulations necessary to conform to the selection and empanelling of juries to the laws of the state, so as to secure an impartial trial, without needless expense, and without undue burden to the citizens of any part of the district. And when, from any cause, there shall not be a jury to determine any criminal or civil case, the court may direct a jury to be summoned of the bystanders to complete the panel. And it shall be the duty of the judge, thirty days before the holding of the first court in his district, under this law, to direct the marshal in what manner, and to what extent, to summons jurors for such court. The compensation to jurors, in both civil and criminal cases, shall be the same as is allowed to jurors in courts of the highest original jurisdiction in the state in which such court is held; and if in such state court there be no allowance for mileage, the jurors shall be allowed five cents per mile for travelling from their respective places of abode to the places where the court is holden, and the same for returning.

        Amount recoverable in suits on bonds, etc., for penalties or for breach of covenant.

        When sum for which judgment is rendered is uncertain, the same shall be assessed by a jury.

        Rate of interest allowed on judgments.

        SEC. 26. In all suits on bonds, agreements, or specialities for penalties or breach of covenant, the amount recovered by the default or confession of the defendant, or upon demurrer, shall be the sum actually due; and when the sum, for which judgment is rendered, is uncertain, the same shall be assessed by a jury. On all judgments in civil cases for the payment of money, interest shall be allowed at such rate as is allowed upon judgments rendered in the highest court of original jurisdiction in the state in which such district court sits.

        Mistakes, etc., in the process and pleadings, or in the judgment, may be amended.

        SEC. 27. Every mistake, omission, defect or imperfection in the process, declaration, pleading, or any of the proceedings in any cause, or in the judgment, shall be amended from time to time, at the instance of either party, according to the several statutes of amendments or jeofails in the state in which the court sits, so as to secure a trial upon the merits, and that justice may be done, subject to any rule for the costs of amendment which the judge may impose.

        Where there are two or more divisions of the district court in a state, executions may be executed in any part of the state.

        SEC. 28. Where, in any state, there are two or more divisions of the district court, all writs of execution upon any judgment rendered in the court of either division may run and be executed in any part of such state, but shall be issued and made returnable to the court in which the judgment was rendered.

        When writ of error to operate as a supersedeas and stay of execuiton.

        When execution may be issued on judgment.

        SEC. 29. A writ of error, when authorised by law to operate as a supersedeas and stay of execution, shall only have that effect when a copy thereof and citation have been served on the adverse party or his counsel of record; but no execution shall issue in less than ten days from the rendition of the judgment or decree, unless upon affidavit made, showing a necessity therefor.

        Remedy against marshal or clerk for failure to pay over money in his hands.

        SEC. 30. Should the marshal or clerk fail to pay over to the party entitled thereto, or to his attorney of record, upon demand made, any money which may have come to his hands by virtue of any order or process of the court, such money, with legal interest and ten per cent. damages may be recovered from him and his sureties in his official bond,

upon motion and three days' notice in the court of which he is marshal or clerk.

        President to appoint district attorneys.

        Their oaths and duties.

        Compensation.

        Mileage.

        When district attorney is absent, the judge may appoint a fit person to act for him for the term.

        SEC. 31. There shall be appointed in each of the districts, by the President, a meet person, learned in the law, to act as attorney for the Confederate States in such district, who shall be sworn or affirmed to the faithful performance of his duty in office, and to support the Constitution; and it shall be his duty to prosecute, in such district, all delinquents for crimes and offences cognizable in such court under the laws of the Confederate States, and to prosecute or defend all civil actions in which the Confederate States shall be concerned, except before the Supreme Court, in the district in which that court shall be holden. And he shall receive as compensation for his services a salary of two hundred dollars per annum, payable quarterly, and ten dollars per diem for every day that he is engaged in attending said court, together with such fees as shall hereafter be prescribed by law. And where there are three divisions in the district for which he is appointed, he shall be allowed mileage, at the rate of ten cents per mile, for going to and returning from the court which is most distant from his place of residence, to be computed on the most usual line of travel; and in case of the absence of such attorney from any term of the court, the presiding judge may appoint a fit person to act for him for the term.

        When the marshal sells real estate and dies before making a deed, the court may direct his successor to make the same.

        SEC. 32. Whenever a marshal shall sell any lands or tenements by virtue of any process in his hands, and shall die, or in any manner go out of office before making a deed to the same, the court to which the process is returnable may, upon written application and notice thereof to the plaintiff and defendant, or their counsel, and upon a statement and proof of the facts, direct his successor to make the necessary deed therefor upon the payment of any purchase money or costs remaining unpaid.

        Security for costs.

        Rules for the conduct and dispatch of business.

        SEC. 33. In any civil case in any of the courts of the Confederate States, the plaintiff may, upon motion, be required to give security for the costs, upon such terms as the court by its rules may prescribe; and if he should fail to comply within the time allowed, the suit shall be dismissed at the next term, unless good cause be shown against it. And the said district courts shall have power, from time to time, to make all needful rules for the conduct and dispatch of business therein, not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the Confederate States, or with the provisions of this act.

        State laws abolishing imprisonment for debt, and providing relief for debtors in custody.

        SEC. 34. The laws of the several States abolishing imprisonment for debt, and providing relief for debtors held in custody, shall take effect in favor of all persons held in custody for debt under the process of the federal courts of the Confederacy.

        Exclusive cognizance of crimes and offences vested In the district courts.

        SEC. 35. And be it further enacted, That the said district courts shall have exclusive cognizance of all crimes and offences cognizable under the authority of the Confederate States, except where the laws of said Confederate States shall otherwise provide.

        Summoning and impanneling of grand juries.

        What law to govern their proceedings.

        SEC. 36. The said courts, in term, shall have power to direct a grand jury to be summoned and impanneled, whenever in its judgment it may be proper to do so, and at such time as it may direct. After such jury is impanneled the proceedings shall conform, as nearly as may be, to the law and practice of the court of the highest original criminal jurisdiction in the State where such district court is held. But no grand jury shall be summoned unless upon the order of the judge or court, and if made by the judge out of term, shall be in writing, under his hand and seal.

        Laws of the U. S. in regard to crimes and offences and the practice in criminal cases, declared to be in force, and to form the rule of practice and decision in the district courts of the C. S.

        What to be the rule when there is no such law.

        Rules of evidence and mode of examining witnesses.

        SEC. 37. Until otherwise provided by law of Congress, the laws of the United States in regard to crimes and offences, and to the mode of

procedure, practice and trial in all criminal cases, shall be in force and form the rule of practice and decision in the district courts of the Confederate States, and where there is no such law governing the practice, then the rule and course shall conform as nearly as practicable to the practice established by law of the State court of highest original jurisdiction in which the said district court sits. And this provision shall extend to the rules of evidence and mode of examining witnesses in such cases.

        Writs of error or appeals to the Supreme Court in criminal cases.

        Writ of error to operate as a stay to the execution of the sentence or judgment.

        When the Supreme Court to give judgment or pronounce sentence, and appoint the time and place for its execution.

        SEC. 38. Writs of error or appeals to the Supreme Court of the Confederate States shall be allowed the accused in all cases in which the punishment or penalty, upon conviction, is death or imprisonment in the penitentiary, in the same manner and upon the same terms as are allowed in the courts of highest original criminal jurisdiction in the State in which such district court is holden; and the remedy upon any bond given in such case, shall be the same as in the courts of the State from which such appeal or writ of error is taken. Such writ of error shall operate as a stay to the execution of the sentence or judgment, upon the execution of such bond as may be required by the State law in similar cases; and if such sentence or judgment shall be affirmed, and the time for executing the same shall have passed, the Supreme Court shall give such judgment or pronounce such sentence as the law prescribes, and appoint the time and place for carrying the same into effect by the marshal of the court from which said writ of error emanated.

        In what civil causes the District Courts to have original cognizance.

        Saving to suitors of common law remedy.

        District Courts, as Courts of Admirality, always open for the purpose of filing libels, etc.

        Laws of the U. S. and rules of Court in Admiralty cases to have full force in the courts of the C. S.

        SEC. 39. The said district courts shall have original cognizance of all civil causes of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, including all seizures under the revenue laws or laws of navigation and trade of the Confederate States, when the seizures or cause of complaint arises on waters which are navigable from the sea by vessels of one hundred or more tons burden, within their respective districts as well as upon the high seas; saving to suitors in all cases the right of a common law remedy, where the remedy at common law is ample and complete. And said district courts, as courts of admiralty, shall be deemed always open for the purpose of filing libels, petitions, answers and other pleadings, for issuing and returning mesne and final process and commissions, and for making all interlocutory orders or rules which may be necessary. And the laws of the United States and the rules of court in reference to admiralty proceedings in force in the admiralty courts of the United States of America, on the twentieth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and sixty, so far as the same may be applicable, and are not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the Confederate States, are hereby continued in full force and effect in the courts of the Confederate States, until altered or repealed by law.

        Writ of error to the Supreme Court in civil cases.

        Limitation.

        Bond and security to prosecute writ with effect.

        When writ of error to operate as a supersedeas.

        Appointment of Clerk of the Supreme Court.

        Oath and bond.

        His fees.

        SEC. 40. Final judgments and decrees in civil actions, and final decrees in equity in a district court, where the matter in dispute exceeds in value the sum of five thousand dollars, exclusive of costs, may be re-examined and reversed or affirmed upon a writ of error in the Supreme Court, the citation in such case being signed by a judge of the district court or of the Supreme Court, and the adverse party having at least thirty days' notice. Writs of error shall not be brought but within two years after rendering or passing the judgment or decree complained of, or in case the person entitled to such writ of [error] be an infant, femme covert, non compos mentis or imprisoned, then within two years, as aforesaid, exclusive of the time of such disability. And every judge signing a citation or any writ of error, as aforesaid, shall take bond, and good and sufficient sureties, that the plaintiff shall prosecute his writ with effect, and answer all costs if he fail to make good his plea; and no writ of error shall operate as a supersedeas and stay of execution, unless such

bond be with sureties and of sufficient amount to secure the whole judgment, if it be affirmed, in addition to the costs. And the said court or the judges thereof, shall have power to appoint a clerk, who shall take the oath prescribed for the clerks of the district courts, and give bonds for the faithful discharge of his duty, in such amount as said court may direct, whose fees shall be the same as those now allowed to the clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States.

        Damages allowed on affirmance of judgment or decree.

        Execution in causes removed to the Supreme Court by writ of error, to issue from the District Court.

        SEC. 41. Where, upon such writ of error, the Supreme Court shall affirm a judgment or decree, they may adjudge or decree to the defendant in error just damages for his delay, not exceeding ten per cent. per annum--but such damages shall only be given when it is manifest to the court that the appeal or writ of error was taken for delay--and all costs. The Supreme Court shall not issue executions in causes that are removed before them by writs of error, but shall send a special mandate to the district court to award execution thereupon, including lawful costs accruing upon such appeal.

        In what cases appeals allowed to the Supreme Court.

        Transcript of proceedings.

        No new evidence to be received.

        Appeals subject to the rules prescribed in case of writs of error.

        Proviso as to appeals or writs of error from existing judgments or decrees.

        SEC 42. From all final judgments or decrees which may be rendered in any district court in any cases of equity or admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, and of prize or no prize, an appeal, where the matter in dispute, exclusive of costs, exceeds the sum or value of five thousand dollars in equity, or of five hundred dollars in courts of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, shall be allowed to the Supreme Court, and upon such appeal, a transcript of the libel, bill, answer, depositions and all other proceedings of what kind soever in the cause, shall be transmitted to the said Supreme Court; and no new evidence shall be received in the said court on the hearing of such appeal; and such appeals shall be subject to the same rules, regulations, and restrictions as are prescribed in law in case of writs of error; and the said Supreme Court shall be and hereby is authorized and required to receive, hear and determine such appeals: Provided always, That appeals or writs of error in any case to the Supreme Court of this Confederacy, from existing judgments or decrees, may be taken under the same rules and regulations required by the laws of the United States for appeals or writs of error to the Supreme Court of the United States, existing at the time the said judgment or decrees were rendered.

        Supreme Court to make rules for the dispatch of cases.

        Proceedings in cases in which the judges are equally divided in opinion.

        SEC. 43. The Supreme Court shall have power from time to time to make all such rules and regulations as it may deem needful for the orderly and correct dispatch of cases not inconsistent with the rules of law, and this power shall extend both to original and appellate causes therein. In all cases in the Supreme Court where there is an equal division of opinion among the judges thereof, and the court is not full, there shall be awarded a re-argument before a full court. If there be such division when the court is full, then the judgment of the court below shall be affirmed.

        Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.

        Exclusive jurisdiction.

        Trial by jury.

        Writs of prohibition and mandamus.

        SEC. 44. The Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction of all controversies of a civil nature where a state is a party, except between a state and its citizens, or citizens of any other state or nation. It shall also have exclusively all such jurisdiction of suits or proceedings against ambassadors or other public ministers, or their servants, as a court of law can have or exercise consistently with the law of nations; and original but not exclusive jurisdiction of all suits brought by ambassadors or other public ministers, or in which a consul or vice-consul shall be a party. And the trial of issues in fact in the Supreme Court, in all actions at law against citizens of the Confederate States, shall be by jury, and it shall have power to issue writs of prohibition to the district courts, when proceeding as courts of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction, and writs of mandamus, in cases warranted by the principles

and usages of law, to any courts appointed under the authority of the Confederate States.

        In what cases writs of error allowed from the final judgments or decrees of the highest courts of the States to the Supreme Court of the C. S.;

        and under what regulations and with what effect.

        Assignment of errors.

        SEC. 45. Be it further enacted, That a final judgment or decree in any suit, in the highest court of law or equity of a state in which a decision in the suit could be had, where is drawn in question the validity of a treaty or statute of, or an authority exercised under the Confederate States; or where is drawn in question the validity of a statute of, or an authority exercised under any state, on the ground of their being repugnant to the constitution, treaties or laws of the Confederate States; or where is drawn in question the construction of any clause of the constitution, or of a treaty, or statute or commission held under the Confederate States; in each of these cases the decision may be re-examined, and reversed or affirmed in the Supreme Court of the Confederate States, upon a writ of error, the citation being signed by any judge of the said Supreme Court, in the same manner and under the same regulations, and with the like effect as if the judgment or decree complained of had been rendered or passed in a district court of the Confederate States; and the proceedings upon reversal shall be the same, except that the Supreme Court, instead of remanding the case for a final decision, may at their discretion, if the cause shall have once been remanded before, proceed to a final decision of the same and award execution. But no other error shall be assigned or regarded as a ground of reversal in any such case as aforesaid, than such as appears in the face of the record, and immediately respects the beforementioned question of validity or construction of the said constitution, treaties, statutes, commissions or authorities in dispute.

        Effect of judgments etc., of any State court rendered since the secession of such State.

        Appeal or writ of error therefrom.

        SEC. 46. All judgments, orders and decrees made by any state court since the date of the secession of such state, upon any subject or matter which before such secession was within the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States, shall have the force and effect of judgments, orders and decrees of the courts herein established, with the privilege of either party to appeal or sue out a writ of error.

        Transfer of records, etc., in suits pending in the Circuit or District Courts of the U. S. within any of the States of the Confederacy, to the District Court of the C. S. in the same district.

        Also of papers of every kind pertaining to judicial proceedings in any of said courts and to suits decided therein, or to any land office.

        Copies of said records and papers admissible in evidence.

        Proviso as to suits pending for five years without prosecution.

        Effect of unsatisfied judgments of the Circuit and District Courts of the U. S.

        What proceedings may be had thereon in the District Court of the C. S. by execution or otherwise.

        Suits in which U. S. are plaintiffs to remain suspended.

        Executions of all judgments rendered in favor of the U. S. likewise suspended.

        Seizures on executions made in behalf of the U. S., declared void.

        Proviso.

        SEC. 47. And be it further enacted, That all the records, papers, dockets, depositions and judicial proceedings of every kind appertaining to any suit now pending in the circuit or district courts of the United States, within any of the states of this Confederacy, shall be transferred to the district court of the Confederate States of America in the same state and district in which the same was pending; and the late clerk of said of said circuit court or district courts, or other person in whose custody said records, papers, dockets, depositions and judical proceedings may be, shall deliver the same to the clerk of the district court to which they may be transferred under the provisions of this act, and the same shall stand in the same plight and condition in which they were in said circuit and district courts respectively, and all previous orders therein made shall have the same effect. And the court to which said causes are hereby transferred shall proceed to hear and determine the same according to law, and all dockets, books, records, documents and papers of every kind pertaining to judicial proceedings in any of said courts, and to suits heretofore decided therein, and all patents, deeds, records, books and papers pertaining to any land office which may by law have been deposited with the clerk of any of said courts or transferred to his office for safe keeping, shall be delivered to the clerk of the district court for the district in which such court is situated, and the same shall be safely kept and preserved by said clerk until otherwise provided by law. And copies of any such records or other papers made out by said clerk of the district court and authenticated according to law, shall have the force and effect given to copies of other instruments of like character in such

state, and be admissable in evidence in all cases in which copies are admitted as evidence in the courts of the Confederate States: Provided, That all suits which shall have been pending in any of said courts for the space of five years without prosecution shall be considered as abandoned, unless prosecuted within six months from the time of such transfer. And the judgments in all civil cases heretofore rendered in said circuit and district courts of the United States remaining unsatisfied, shall have the same force and effect which they had before the secession of the State in which said court is situated, and the same proceedings may be had thereon in the district court of the Confederate States, by execution or otherwise, which might have been taken in the court in which they were rendered at the time of their rendition. And where, under any such judgment of the circuit courts of the United States, any execution may have been in part executed by levy on property or otherwise, it shall be the duty of the marshal or officer in whose hands such execution and property may be, to turn over the same to the marshal of the Confederate States for the district in which such judgment was rendered, and to take his receipt therefor; and thereupon the said marshal shall proceed to dispose of the same according to the laws in force at the time such judgment was rendered, and pay over the proceeds to the party entitled. And new process shall be issued in such district courts when requisite; but all suits pending in said courts in which the United States are plaintiffs shall remain suspended, and no further proceedings shall be had therein until the independence of this Confederacy shall be recognized by the United States; and execution of all judgments rendered in favor of said United States is hereby suspended, and all seizures on executions heretofore made in behalf of the said United States are hereby declared to be inoperative and void, and shall not be renewed until recognition be made of the independence of this Confederacy as aforesaid. But this section shall be subject to such disposition of the causes therein provided for as has been made by the several States before the adoption of the Provisional Constitution, unless said States shall conform their legislation to the provisions in this act contained.

        Transfer of causes pending in the Supreme Court of the U. S., upon appeal or writ of error, to the Supreme Court of the C. S.

        If not transferred within twelve monihs the judgment of the Court below affirmed.

        Bond given for appeal, etc., to remain in force.

        Transcripts of records printed in the Supreme Court of the U. S., may be filed.

        SEC. 48. Where cases are now pending in the Supreme Court of the United States upon appeal or writ of error, from any court of the States now forming the Confederate States, it shall be lawful for the appellant or plaintiff in error, at any time within twelve months from the date, to dismiss such appeal or writ of error, and file a transcript of the record and a copy of the bond for the appeal or writ of error in the Supreme Court of the Confederate States, and thereupon the same shall be considered in all respects as if it had been originally filed in the said Supreme Court of the Confederate States, and shall be heard and determined in said court according to the laws in force at the time said cause was determined in the court below, and the rights of the respective parties shall be the same as when said cause was taken up to the Supreme Court of the United States. And if such cause shall not be transferred in twelve months as aforesaid, then the judgment of the court from which the appeal or writ of error was taken shall be deemed final and in all things affirmed. And in case of such transfer, the bond given for the appeal or writ of error shall be and remain in full force in the court of the Confederate States; and in cases where the transcripts of the records have already been printed in the Supreme Court of the United States under the rules thereof, such printed copy, duly certified by the clerk of that court, may be filed in the Supreme Court of these Confederate States, and it shall not be necessary to have a new transcript made by the clerk of the court from which the appeal or writ of error was prosecuted.

        District Courts of the C. S. and their officers to carry into effect certain unexecuted judgments, etc, of the Supreme Court of the U. S. remaining in force.

        Proviso.

        Notice to party or his counsel of causes transferred under this law.

        SEC. 49. And where there shall heretofore have been any judgment or decree in the Supreme Court of the United States in a case from any of the district or circuit courts of the United States for any one of the States now forming a part of the Confederate States, and which remains in force and unexecuted, it shall be and it is hereby made the duty of the district court of such Confederate State and its officers, to carry into effect and to execute such judgment or decree according to the mandate of the Supreme Court of the United States, as if there had been no dissolution of the Union: Provided, That such judgment or decree was rendered before the secession of the State from which such cause went to the Supreme Court. When any cause is transferred under the provisions of this law, notice of such transfer shall be given to the adverse party or his counsel thirty days before the term of the court at which such case is to be tried.

        Effect of judgments of U. S. courts in criminal cases.

        District Courts of the C. S. empowered to execute them.

        Persons under arrest on process issued from the United States Courts.

        Bail bond to bind party to appear in Court.

        Indictments found in any of the U. S courts, to be heard, etc., in the District Courts of the C. S.

        Warrants or other process from said courts.

        SEC. 50. In all cases where persons are under judgment or sentence, or are imprisoned upon conviction of any crime or offence before any court of the United States, in any of the States now forming a part of the Confederate States of America, such judgment or sentence shall continue in full force and effect until the same has been executed and carried out, and the said district courts of the Confederate States are hereby clothed with all necessary powers to have such judgment or sentence executed. And no person now under arrest or in custody upon any criminal charge or offence, on process issued from the courts of the United States, shall be released by reason of the dissolution of the Union, but he shall continue under arrest or in custody until discharged by due course of law. And any bail bond given by any party to answer any charge under process from any of said courts, shall be obligatory upon such party and his sureties, and bind him to appear at the first term of the district court of the Confederate States to be held for the district in which he was arrested. And all indictments heretofore found in any of the said courts and not yet disposed of shall continue in full force and virtue until heard and determined in the district court of the Confederate States for the district in which the same was found. And all warrants or other process issuing on any criminal charge from any of said courts shall continue in force and be made returnable to the court of the district in the Confederate States in which the offence therein charged is alleged to have been committed. And to these ends full authority is hereby granted to said district courts.

        Penitentiary and jails.

        SEC. 51. Where, by the laws of any State, its penitentiary or jails may be used by the courts or marshals of the Confederate States, the same shall be so used whenever necessary; but if in any State there be no law authorizing their use, then it shall be the duty of the marshal to provide a suitable place or places for the custody and confinement of all prisoners or convicts who may be committed to his custody by competent legal authority.

        Special jurisdiction of District Court held at the seat of government, of crimes and offences committed by public officers, and of suits on their official bonds.

        SEC. 52. Where any forfeiture or penalty is by law prescribed against misfeasance or malfeasance in office by any of the officers of the Confederate States residing at the seat of government, or where crimes or offences are committed by any of said officers in their respective offices, which are or may be punishable by indictment, or where suits may become necessary upon the official bonds of any such officers, made payable to the Confederate States of America, the jurisdiction in all such cases shall pertain to and be exercised by the district court of the Confederate States which shall be held at the seat of government.

        Writs of error or appeal to the Supreme Court from judgments rendered in causes pending in the courts of the U. S. at the time of the secession of the States.

        SEC. 53. From all judgments or decrees which shall be rendered in causes pending in the courts of the United States at the time of the secession of the States in which the same were, and which causes shall

be transferred to and decided by the courts of this Confederacy, writs of error or appeal may lie to the Supreme Court of this Confederacy, when the sum or matter in controversy exceeds the sum of two thousand dollars.

        When act takes effect.

        Laws repealed.

        SEC. 54. This act shall be in force and have effect from and after the passage thereof, and all laws and parts of laws coming within the purview of this act, shall be and the same are hereby repealed.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LXII.--An Act supplementary to an act entitled an act to organize the Navy.

March 16, 1861.

        Relative position of officers of the Navy of the U. S. who have resigned and received appointments in the Navy of the C. S.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That in case officers who were formerly attached to the navy of the United States, but had resigned in consequence of the secession of any one or of all of the Confederate States, should receive appointments in the navy of the Confederate States, the President is authorized to affix to their commissions such dates as may be necessary to secure to them the same relative position that they held in the former service.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LXIII.--An Act supplemental to an act to define and fix the pay of the officers of the Congress.

March 16, 1861.

        Pay of the officers of Congress under the Provisional Government, defined and fixed.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the amount of salary established by the said act for each officer during the continuance of the Provisional Government shall be deemed a salary for a year; and that each officer may receive a rateable proportion thereof at any time during the year, upon the warrant of the President of the Congress.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LXIV.--An Act to appropriate money for certain civil purposes.

March 16, 1861.

        Appropriation for salary of Auditor of the Treasury.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the following sum be, and the same is hereby appropriated for the object hereafter expressed, for the year ending the fourth of February, eighteen hundred and sixty-two: For salary of Auditor of the Treasury, for auditing accounts of the war office in the expenditure for the army, the sum of three thousand dollars.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LXV.--Ae Act making additional appropriations for the support of the Army, for the year ending the first of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.

March 16, 1861.

        Appropriation for the purchase of ordnance and ordnance stores.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the following sum be, and the same is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, namely: For the purchase of ordnance and ordnance stores, one hundred and ten thousand dollars.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LXVI.--An Act making appropriations for the service of the Postoffice Department, for the fiscal year ending the first of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.

March 16, 1861.

        Appropriations for Postoffice Department.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the following sums be appropriated for the Post Office Department for the year ending the first of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, out of any moneys in the Treasury, arising from the revenues of the service of said department, namely: For transportation of the mails inland, one million one hundred and two thousand, two hundred and eighteen dollars and forty-nine cents; for compensation of Postmasters, three hundred thousand dollars; for clerk of Post Offices, one hundred thousand dollars; for ship, steam-boat and way-letters, five thousand dollars; for office furniture for Post Offices, two thousand dollars; for advertising, fifteen thousand dollars; for mail bags, ten thousand dollars; for paper blanks, ten thousand dollars; for printing blanks, three thousand dollars; for wrapping paper, eight thousand dollars; for mail locks, keys and stamps, ten thousand dollars; for mail depredations and special agents, twenty thousand dollars; for miscellaneous payments, forty thousand dollars; for postage stamps and stamped envelopes, twenty-five thousand dollars; for payment on account of foreign mail service, seventy-five thousand dollars; for payment of letter carriers, two thousand dollars.

        To supply deficiencies in the revenue of the said department.

        SEC. 2. That the sum of three hundred and twenty thousand and sixty dollars thirty-six cents be, and the same is hereby appropriated, to be paid out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to supply deficiencies in the revenue of the Post Office Department for the year ending the first of March, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LXVII.--An Act to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to appoint Special Agents in certain cases.

March 16, 1861.

        Special agents to organize custom-houses on the frontiers, and to examine books, accounts, etc.

        Compensation.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do] enact, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall be, and he is hereby authorized to appoint special agents for the purpose of organizing the custom-houses at ports of entry and delivery on the frontiers between the Confederate States and other Governments, and to cause examinations to be made of the books, accounts, money on hand and general management of all the offices of the several collectors of the customs, sub-treasurers, public depositories, mints, and all other officers and agents who may be under the control of the Treasury Department, as occasion may require, with such compensation, not exceeding six dollars per day and traveling expenses, as he may think reasonable, to be fixed at the time of each appointment.

The agent selected to make these examinations shall be instructed, in all offices having charges of public funds, to examine as well the books, accounts and returns of the officer, as the money on hand and the manner of its being kept, to the end that uniformity and accuracy in the accounts, as well as safety to the public moneys, may be secured thereby.

        When this act to expire.

        SEC. 2. Be it further enacted, That this act shall expire in two years from the date of its passage.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LXVIII.--An Act Making appropriation for the service of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

March 16, 1861.

        Appropriation for the service of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the following sum be, and the same is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the service of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, for the year ending first of March, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, namely: For the salary of the commissioner and chief clerk of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and incidental expenses of the bureau, five thousand dollars.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

CHAP. LXIX.--An Act to amend an act entitled an act authorizing the President alone to make certain appointments.

March 16, 1861.

        Appointment of officers by the President during the recess of Congress.

        The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the act described in the caption hereof shall be held and construed, to authorize the President to appoint, during the recess of Congress, all officers, civil, military and naval, established by law: Provided, such appointments shall be submitted to the Congress when it re-assembles, for its advice and consent.

APPROVED March 16, 1861.

RESOLUTIONS.