An act in addition to the act, entitled "an act for the
punishment of certain crimes against the United States."
SEC. I Be it enacted…, That if any
persons shall unlawfully combine or conspire together, with
intent to oppose any measure or measures of the government of
the United States, which are or shall be directed by proper
authority, or to impede the operation of any law of the United
States, or to intimidate or prevent any person holding a place
or office in or under the government of the United States, from
undertaking, performing or executing his trust or duty; and
if any person or persons, with intent as aforesaid, shall counsel,
advise or attempt to procure any insurrection, riot. unlawful
assembly, or combination, whether such conspiracy, threatening,
counsel, advice, or attempt shall have the proposed effect or
not, he or they shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor,
and on conviction, before any court of the United States having
jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding
five thousand dollars, and by imprisonment during a term not
less than six months nor exceeding five years; and further,
at the discretion of the court may be holden to find sureties
for his good behaviour in such sum, and for such time, as the
said court may direct.
SEC. 2. That if any person shall
write, print, utter. Or publish, or shall cause or procure to
be written, printed, uttered or published, or shall knowingly
and willingly assist or aid in writing, printing, uttering or
publishing any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings
against the government of the United States, or either house of
the Congress of the United States, or the President of the United
States, with intent to defame the said government, or either house
of the said Congress, or the said President, or to bring them.
or either of them, into contempt or disrepute; or to excite against
them, or either or any of them, the hatred of the good people
of the United States, or to excite any unlawful combinations therein,
for opposing or resisting any law of the United States, or any
act of the President of the United States, done in pursuance of
any such law, or of the powers in him vested by the constitution
of the United States, or to resist, oppose, or defeat any such
law or act, or to aid, encourage or abet any hostile designs of
any foreign nation against the United States, their people or
government, then such person, being thereof convicted before any
court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall
be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and
by imprisonment not exceeding two years.
SEC. 3. That if any person shall
be prosecuted under this act, for the writing or publishing any
libel aforesaid, it shall be lawful for the defendant, upon the
trial of the cause, to give in evidence in his defence, the truth
of the matter contained in the publication charged as a libel.
And the jury who shall try the cause, shall have a right to determine
the law and the fact, under the direction of the court, as in
other cases.
SEC. 4. That this act shall
continue to be in force until March 3, 1801, and no longer.…
See also:
Virginia
Resolutions
Kentucky
Resolutions
