Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) [Amendment to an act approving letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02778 Author/Creator: Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Document signed Date: 30 April 1863 Pagination: 2 p. ; 45.2 x 29.6 cm. Order a Copy
Signed as President of the Confederate States and countersigned by Speaker of the House Thomas S. Bocock and President of the Senate (and Vice President) Alexander H. Stephens. This document amended the original act that approved letters of marque, prizes, and prize goods on the high seas, which was passed 21 May 1861 (Bill #170 of the second session of the Confederate Provisional Congress). The amendment allows the Board of Naval Officers created under the original act to have the power in cases of any armed vessel sunk or destroyed "to take and receive such depositions, affidavits, officials reports, and other Evidence, written or oral, as they may deem necessary to Enable them to make the Valuation required by said act." On page 2 the document is marked as "Passed the Senate April 23, 1863" and signed by James H. Nash, the Secretary of the Senate. It is also marked that the amendment was "Passed by the House of Reps. Apr. 28, 1863" and signed by A. R. Lamar as Clerk of the House of Representatives. Lastly, on 30 April 1863 Nash signed the disclaimer that "I certify that this bill originated in the Senate."
TRANSCRIPT GLC 02778
Jefferson Davis. Document signed, Washington, 30 April 1863. 1 p.
30 April 1863, Richmond
Enrolled. An act to amend an act entitled "an act to amend an act Entitled 'an act recognizing the existence of war between the United States and this Confederate States, and concerning letters of marque frizes and frize goods' approved May sixth, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one,'" approved May 21st, 1861, and numbered "170" of the acts of the second session of the Provisional Congress of eighteen hundred and sixty-one. The Congress of the Confederate States of America do enact, That the first section of the above entitled act be so amended that the Board of Naval Officers there in provided for, to make valuation of any armed vessel and its armament sunk or destroyed under the provisions of said act, shall have and are here by invested with forever to take and receive such depositions, affidavits, official reports, and other evidence, written or oral, as they may deem necessary to enable them to make the valuation required by said act.
Th: Bocochy
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Alexander Stephens
President of the Senate
Approved April 30, 1863
Jefferson Davis
<Signature>
Notes:
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