The bill was amended eight days later and was even stronger than its original language. It reads like law.
It says....
"And that the executive and military authorities of the United States are HEREBY DIRECTED to relalite upon the prisoners of the enemy in such a manner and kind as shall be effective in deterring him from the perpetration in future of cruel and barbarous treatment of our soldiers. Congress do not, however, intend by this resolution to limit or restrict the power of the President to the modes or principles of retaliation herein mentioned, but only to advise AND REQUIRE a resort to them as demanded by the occasion."
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David Upton