It seems to me very desirable that this
question should be settled now, and I entertain the hope and express
the desire that it may be by the ratification of the fifteenth article
of amendment to the Constitution.
In conclusion I ask patient forbearance one toward another throughout
the land, and a determined effort on the part of every citizen to do his
share toward cementing a happy union; and I ask the prayers of the
nation to Almighty God in behalf of this consummation.
MARCH 4, 1869.
[NOTE.--The Forty-first Congress, first session, met March 4, 1869,
in accordance with the act of January 22, 1867.]
SPECIAL MESSAGES.
WASHINGTON, D.C., _March 6, 1869_.
_To the Senate of the United States:_
Since the nomination and confirmation of Alexander T. Stewart to the
office of Secretary of the Treasury I find that by the eighth section
of the act of Congress approved September 2, 1789, it is provided as
follows, to wit:
_And be it further enacted_, That no person appointed to any office
instituted by this act shall, directly or indirectly, be concerned or
interested in carrying on the business of trade or commerce; or be
owner, in whole or in part, of any sea vessel; or purchase, by himself
or another in trust for him, any public lands or other public property;
or be concerned in the purchase or disposal of any public securities of
any State or of the United 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 deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor and forfeit to the United States
the penalty of $3,000, and shall upon conviction be removed from office
and forever thereafter incapable of holding any office under the United
States: _Provided_, That if any other person than a public prosecutor
shall give information of any such offense, upon which a prosecution and
conviction shall be had, one-half the aforesaid penalty of $3,000, when
recovered, shall be for the use of the person giving such information.
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