Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-02-22
FREE, NEGROES

ie AASucS u IS!S-alCS dCOpleu me IClOW-
ing resolution:
Resolved, That special committee be appointed to
enquire into The expedicncy Of so amending the law in
regard to Negroes emancpated since ls May 1906 as
10 give moley OF the proceeds OF sales in such
10 the ntormer prosecutor. Also the expedjency Of
extending the remedies provided for the collection
OF state and county taxes and levies against free ne
goes, to the collection OF town and city taxes against
.n i ana further, to enquire generally what, it any
aefaton' be necessary m the present law in regard
Tree negroes.
| on the following day,-to wit, the Sth Of Janu-
ary'-the speaker appointed The committee under the
| above resolution, placing Mr.. w. at its head since
winch period, the committee have been actively en-
gagged in framing bill upon the eubiect
On Tuesday last, the 18Th inst Mr.. Wheeler. 40.
coiding to order, presented "a Bib conceyaieg Free
Negroes, which, upon his motion, was read the first
time and ordered to be printed. As the bill relates to
class towards whom public attention has been OF late
particularly directed, and ii contains novel and start
ling propositions, sh all proceed to give synopsis
! OF its provisions.
The first section authorizes the Governor to increase
the Board provided for by the "ac making appropria
tons for the removal of free persons OF colour" TO
nine, by the appointment of five competent persons to
act with those already designated; said Board to be
| denominaed "The Colonization Board :" and ma
Jority 10 constitute quorum for the transaction of
business, &c.
Section 2-Authorizes said Board to contract with
the Virginia Colonization Society, any responsible
person or persons for the removal of free negroes from
the commonwealth upon the favorable terms
hat can be obtained the extent OF the fund provided
by the act aforesad and any future appropra1ng
or providing means for the accomplishment of the OBJ
| lect aforesald
Section 3-Leyes an annual tax upon all free ne
groes between the ages OF tweny-one and lty-five
years; that is to say every male dollars and on
every female one dollar; the be ascertaned
assessed collected paid into the treasury accounted for
with the auditor and stated his books according 10
existing acts on the subject.
Section 4-Proydes that sherjf1s NAV unon their ou,
responsibility employ constabes 10 collect any portion
OF the taxes mentioned above and such constables shall
nave the same legal night to distran and sell property
therelor which Is or may be vested in sherfs
Section 5--Repeals the limitations as to the amount
per day at which free negro may be hired for the pay
meht OF taxes due by him. and makes lawful for the
cnleclor OF the taxes levied by the proper authorities
OF any Town or city in the commonwealth upon free
negroes, to employ the like means for their collection
as are provided tor the collection of state and county
taxes and levles upon them.
Section 6--Empowers Courts authorized to grant
and renew registers 10 free negroes in their discretion
10 refuse 10 grant or renew the same in all cases
whatsoever; and no registers to be granted or re-
heWed except by a Court summoned according TO law;
SAID courts also 10 have power revoke any register
upon summons; and making it the duty of the Courts
not only 10 refuse grant or renew but 10 revoke the
register OF tree negro who shall fail pay the taxes
| levied upon him.
| Section Provides that mo instruments other than
| last anu testament, snail nave the 10 ell
ect 10 enauclpate slave long such slave shall
remain wllhln the limits OF the commonwealth; and
all slaves that shall hereafter be emancipated by any
last will and testament and remain in the common.
wealth contrary to law, shall be liable be taken and
heid by the heus at law OF the party making such last
will and testament ino such intent to emancipale
| had appeared"
Secuon e-lncapacitaes free negroes hereafter from
taking or holding the title to any real estate deryabe
by purchase devise, descent otherwise and vests in
Inc commonwealth the title hereafter accrung to any
| fbpTo Ic tharn tho,,
nee negro, and renders the same liable to escheat
Section 9-Renders any free negro going at large
without register granted and renewed according to
law SIX months after the passage OF this act liable to like
orfeures, and subject to the penalties and pro-
| ceedngs as now authorized by law against negroes
emanelpatsd since the LIST day of May, 1906, and
naming IN this state IN violation OF law.
Section lO-Provdes that in all cases of prosecutions
against Tree negroes tor remaining going at large in
the commonwealth contrary 10 law, the prosecutor
lnormer shall be entitled 10 receive eha the nett
proceeds OF the sales that may take place in eonse-
quence thereof, and the other half of such proceeds
snail De PAD INTO the treasury according TO law, and
applied to the removal OF free negroes oil the states
ana whenever any lands shall be escheated to the COM
monweah as herein provided, the proceeds thereof
snail In IKE manner be applied 10 the removal of free
| negroes
| Section 1l.-Empowers the county and corporation
courts 10 dfec any overseeer OF the poor bind
10 service Tree negroes in their respective counties
corporations, TO wit males under the age of twenty
one wears, and females under the age of eighteen years.
TILL they shall arrive at the said respectively taking
security Tor The yearly payment for the services Of the
same SAID yearly re be paid the sheriff or coles
tor OF taxes for the State in such county or corpo-
ration, and be by him accounted tor and paid
over as the taxes levied upon free negroes ard shall be
| applied Tor the removal OF free negroes
Section l2-Authorizes the county and corporation
courts In their discretion, 10 require bond and security
IN such amount as they may deem reasonable for the
good behaviour OF any and all free negroes within their
respective counties or corporations; and any free
gro Iang TO give such surety may, at the discretion OF
| the Court, be banished from the Commonwealth.
Hecfion l3-Auhorzes the Courts aforesaid in their
discretion to hire out any such free negro may fail
to give security for good behaviour, until sufficient
sum of money be raised from such hiring transport
The said Tree negro out OF the Slate, and apply such
hires to the said purpose
Section l4-PIescribes good behaviour to mean,
orderly, SOBER industrious and discreet conduct,
we'll as the observance of the laws OF the Common.
wealth.
Section l5Directs the 5ondsfor good behaviour to
be made payable to the Commonwealth of Virgin ia,
and upon breach OF the condition thereof may be
proceeded upon and collected other bonds go paya-
| BILE.
Section l6Directs that "ths act shall be in force
from its passage
J