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 Duke University Libraries 
 A bill to preve 
 Conf Pam #568 
 
Bill Xo. 4. 
 
 A BILL 
 
 To prevent extortion iii salt. 
 Dec. 9, 1861 — Read first, to be read second time. 
 
 Whereas it has been represented to the general assembly, that 
 
 2 persons in this commonwealth, under the protection of her laws 
 
 3 and her arms, and thereby secured in the enjoyment of their rights 
 
 4 of person and property, have been engaged in buying up salt, of 
 
 5 which there is a limited supply, with the view of withholding 
 
 6 the same from the use of the people until their necessities would 
 
 7 enable the holders thereof to extort most unreasonable and un- 
 
 8 conscionable prices for the same : Therefore, 
 
 1. Be it enacted by the general, assembly, that the governor 
 
 2 of this commonwealth be and he is hereby authorized and em- 
 
 3 powered to seize upon all salt, by whomsoever held (for which 
 
 4 the holder is demanding more than dollars 
 
 5 a bushel, upon affidavit to the fact duly made by two or more 
 
 6 persons, and who refuses to sell the same for such price), and to 
 
 7 place the same in the hands of an agent or factor, at some. mart 
 
 8 nearest the place where the salt is so seized, who shall sell the 
 
 9 same to the people for cash, in the order in whfch they apply to 
 10 purchase, and in such quantities, to each applicant, as shall, in 
 
2 BiU No. 4. 
 
 11 his opiuioii, best contribute to alleviate the distress of the coiin- 
 
 12 try. And the said agent or factor shall sell the said salt at the 
 
 13 price of dollars per bushel and five per 
 
 14 centum thereon; and shall pay over the same to the treasurer of 
 
 15 this commonwealth, retaining five per centum commission on the 
 IG sales as a compensation in fall for his services. 
 
 2. Before said agent or factor sliall be entitled to receive the 
 
 2 salt so seized, he shall enter into bond with good security, con- 
 
 3 ditioned that he will faithfully account for and pay over to the 
 
 4 treasurer from time to time, as the governor may direct, all such 
 
 5 sums of money so coming into his hands. 
 
 3. All costs incurred by the seizure and delivery of salt into 
 
 2 the hands of the agent or factor, shall be paid by the party who 
 
 3 held the same at the time of seizure, and may be deducted from 
 
 4 the sum to be paid him therefor. 
 
 4. This act shall be in force from and after its passage. 
 
 
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