SEAMEN1'S FUND. By the act of July 16, 1798, a provision is made for raising a fund for the relief of disabled and sick seamen: the master of every vessel2 arriving from a foreign port into the United States is required to pay to the collector of customs at the rate of twenty cents per month for every seaman3 employed on board of his vessel, which sum he may, retain out of the wages of such seaman: vessels4 engaged in the coasting trade, and boats, rafts or flats navigating5 the Mississippi, with intention to proceed to New Orleans, are also laid under similar obligations. The fund thus raised is to be employed by the president of the United States as circumstances shall require, for the benefit and convenience of sick and disabled American seamen. Act of March 3, 1802, s. 1.
2. By the act of congress, passed February 28, 1803, c. 62, 2 Story's L. U. S. 884, it is provided, that when a seaman is discharged in a foreign country with his own consent, or when the ship is sold there, he shall, in addition to his usual wages, be paid three months' wages into the hands of the American consul6, two-thirds of which are to be paid to such seaman, on his engagement on board any vessel to return home, and the remaining one-third is retained in aid of a fund for the relief of distressed7 American seamen in foreign ports. See 11 John. R. 66; 12 John. Rep. 143; 1 Mason, R. 45; 4 Mason, R. 541; Edw. Adm. R. 239.
SEARCH, crim. law. An examination of a man's house, premises8 or person, for the purpose of discovering proof of his guilt9 in relation to some crime or misdemeanor of which be is accused.
2. The constitution of the United. States, amendments10, art. 4, protects the people from unreasonable11 searches and seizures12. 3 Story, Const. 1895; Rawle, Const. ch. 10, p. 127; 10 John. R. 263; 11 John. R. 500; 3 Cranch, 447.
3. By the act of March 2, 1799, s. 68, 1 Story's L. U. S. 632, it is enacted13, that every collector, naval14 officer, and surveyor, or other person specially15 appointed, by either of them, for that purpose, shall have fall power and authority to enter any ship or vessel, in which they shall have reason to suspect any goods, wares16, or merchandise, subject to duty, are concealed17, and therein to search for, seize, and secure any such goods, wares, or merchandise; and if they shall have cause to suspect a concealment18 thereof in any particular dwelling19 house, store, building, or other place they or either of them shall; upon proper application, on oath, to any justice of the peace, be entitled to a warrant to enter such house, store, or other place, (in the day time only, and there to search for such goods; and if any shall be found, to seize and secure the same for trial; and all such goods, wares, and merchandise, on which the duties shall not have been paid, or secured to be paid, shall be forfeited20.
