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expenditures in his department.

Returns are in like

manner made to the post master general, by all the depuThe salary of the post master general

ty post masters.

is $6000 a year.

CHAPTER XXIII.

District of Columbia-Local Jurisdiction, &c.

371. CONGRESS has the power "to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, become the seat of government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased, by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and other needful buildings.'

372. The establishment of a permanent seat of gov ernment for the United States, after the treaty of peace with Great Britain, received the early attention of congress. In October, 1783, it was resolved, that buildings for the use of congress should be erected on the banks of the Delaware. A few days later, it was resolved, that buildings for a similar purpose should likewise be erected on the Potomac, with a view of reconciling the conflicting wishes of the northern and southern states, by establishing two seats of government. In December, 1784, it was further resolved that a district should be purchased on the banks of the Delaware, for a federal town, and that contracts should be made for erecting a house for the use of congress and the executive officers, and suitable buildings for the residence of the president and the secretaries

371. Over what places has congress power to exercise exclusive legislation? 372. What were the early measures taken by congress respecting the location of the seat of government? How was

of the several departments. But the appropriation of the necessary fund for these purposes, requiring the assent of nine states, was prevented by the southern interest. In 1790, a compromise was made, by which the friends of Philadelphia, in consideration of having the seat of gov ernment at that city, during ten years, the time estimated to be necessary for the erection of the public buildings, agreed that the seat of government should be permanently fixed on the Potomac.

373. The territory in which the seat of government is located, is ten miles square. It was ceded to the general government by the states of Maryland and Virginia, and erected into a district, under the exclusive jurisdiction of congress, by the name of the "District of Columbia." In the city of Washington, which is built near the centre of the district, the necessary buildings are erected for the accommodation of the general government, where its seat was established at the commencement of the present century. It was in view of the acquisition of this terrritory, that provision was made in the constitution for its govern

ment.

374. It is obviously necessary and proper that congress should possess supreme control at the seat of the national government; and that the members of the general government should not be dependent on a state for protection in the exercise of their duties.

375. As the inhabitants of this district have placed themselves under the government of congress, they have no voice in the election of representatives, nor of electors of president and vice president. Although laws are from time to time passed by congress for the government of this district, these acts principally adopt the laws of Maryland and Virginia, as the law of the several portions of the district ceded by those states respectively.

the question at length settled? 373. How large is the territory of the District of Columbia? By what states was it ceded? In what city is the seat of government? 374. Why is jurisdiction over the territory given to congress? 375. What laws, principally, does congress adopt for the government of the territory? 376. Over

should ex

376. It is equally necessary that congress ercise like authority over the forts, arsenals, dock yards, and other property of the United States; as the public money expended on such places, and the public property deposited in them, require that they should be exempt from the authority of the particular state in which they are situate..

377. The power of congress to legislate exclusively within any place ceded by a state, carries with it the right to make that power effectual. Congress may provide, by law, for the apprehension of a person who escapes from such place, after comitting a felony; for conveying him to or from any other place for trial or execution. Congress may punish those for misprision of felony, who, out of a fort, conceal a felony committed within it. To give the United States exclusive legislation and jurisdiction over any place in a particular state, there must be a free cession thereof, for one of the purposes specified in the foregoing clause of the constitution. Such jurisdiction. cannot be acquired tortiously, nor by occupancy with the tacit consent of the state..

378. When a place has been purchased by the United States, for the erection of a fort, with the consent of the state, the jurisdiction of the state ceases therein, and the inhabitants of such place cannot exercise therein any civil or political privileges under the laws of the state, as they are not subject to such laws, nor bound to pay taxes imposed by their authority.

what other places has congress exclusive authority? 377. What right is necessarily exercised in the power of congress to exercise exclusive legislation? 373. When does the state jurisdiction over eeded territory cease?

CHAPTER XXIV.

Miscellaneous Powers of Congress.

379. CONGRESS has power "to declare the punishment of treason." This power is indispensable to the preservation of the government; and though it might have been inferred from the power of self-defence, which every government is presumed to possess; yet it is with great. propriety inserted in the constitution.

380. The constitution, with equal propriety, contains a definition of the crime, prescribes the proof requisite for conviction, and restrains congress in punishing it. It declares that treason against the United States shall consist in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. The term, "levying war," is adopted from the English statute of treasons. and has that sense in the constitution which it was understood to have in the English statute, from which it was. borrowed. An assemblage of men, for a treasonable purpose, such as war against the government, or a revolution of any of its territories, and in a condition to make such war, constitutes a levying of war.

381. War can be levied only by the employment of force; troops must be embodied, men must be openly raised; but neither arms, nor the actual application of the force to the object, are indispensably requisite. To march in arms with a force marshalled and arrayed, committing acts of violence, in order to compel the resignation of a public officer, thereby to render ineffective an act of congress, is high treason. When war is levied, all who perform a part, however remote from the scene of action, being leagued in the conspiracy, commit treason. If one advise or command an overt act of treason, he is guilty

379. Why is the power of congress to punish treason necessary! 380, 381. In what does the constitution declare treason to consist? How is "levying war" defined? How is treason punished? 352. Is

accessorily. Treason, by the laws of the United States, is punishable with death.

382. But a mere conspiracy to levy war is not treason. A secret, unarmed meeting of conspirators, not in force, nor in warlike form, though met for a treasonable purpose, and enlisted, is not treason; but these offences are high misdemeanors.

383. In prescribing the proof necessary for conviction of treason, the constitution requires the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or the confession of the offender in open court.

384. No attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted. Corruption of blood, by the common law of England, signifies that a person attainted of felony, forfeits his estate; and that he can neither inherit lands from his ancestors, nor transmit them to his heirs. But the constitution of the United States very properly prohibits this illiberal and unjust practice; and in the exercise of this power, congress has declared, that "no conviction or judgment shall work corruption of blood, or any forfeiture of estate;" so that the forfeiture may be omitted, even during the life of the offender.

385. Full faith and credit shall be given, in each state, to the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other state. And congress may, by general laws, prescribe the manner in which such acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. This provision was designed to secure the rights of those who are liable to suffer losses and injustice from the removal of persons and their property into another state; as it was to be presumed that cases of this kind would frequently occur near the borders of states. Congress has, in the exercise of this power, prescribed the manner of auther ticating such records, and declared that they shall have

a mere conspiracy to levy war treason? 383. What proof is required to convict of reason? 334. How is the punishment of treason restricted? What is meant by corruption of blood? 385. What does the constitution provide respecting the proof and effect of

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