Doc.
142 1/2.-the bill to punish conspiracy.
The following is the act to punish conspiracy, approved by the
President of the
United States, July 31:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, That if two or more persons within any State or Territory of the
United States shall conspire together to overthrow, or to put down, or to destroy by force, the
Government of the
United States, or to levy war against the
United States, or to oppose by force the authority of the
Government of the
United States, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the
United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the
United States against the will or contrary to the authority of the
United States; or by force, or intimidation, or threat to prevent any person from accepting or holding any office, or trust or place of confidence under the
United States, each and every person so offending shall be guilty of a high crime, and upon conviction thereof in any district or circuit court of the
United States having jurisdiction thereof, or district or supreme court of any Territory of the
United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not less than five hundred dollars and not more than five thousand dollars; or by imprisonment, with or without hard labor, as the court shall determine, for a period not less than six months nor greater than six years, or by such fine and imprisonment.
Approved July 31, 1861.
