The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-12-20
Mr.. Gu,Icy,s Confiscat,on Bill.

The bill introduced into The House
OF Represen natives by the Hon. John
A. Gurley. embraces some OF the
most important measures ever be.
fore Congress. 1t is drawn with
remarkable precision, clearness and
'orcc, and is certainly ss well calcu.
lated ne any legislative measure can
he to fleet the end in view. What
that end is will be best understood
by the following synops 6 oi tie III:
Section frat provides Tor tie confis-
cation OF all the property real and
pcrsonal--oi all persons engaged in.
or aiding, or abettirg tie present
rebellion. Section second makes j.
the duty OF the President TO appoip'
in esch state, where, by reason of
the rebellion. the law cannot he ex.
,cut,d q through the ordinary procos Sc
i 6, mmissiuncr to carry it into ef,
f,c', and 10 inspre the services Ut
c. M eicni aud Trustworthy men. the
alarv ni tie Cummissioncr is fix Il
ut So 600 rer annnm. 5, ctions
three. four. and five lruvide for the
taking ol adequate snr,ties nom the
Commissioners Tor the faith ul per.
foimauce Of their duties, tor their
severe punishment hy fine and i'm
prisonment. for malversation o. cor
rupt conduct, End Tor the appoints
m,nt Of the necessary Drru,ics,
Cicrks and Marsha q. Section siS
provides that any loyal citizen
~hoee property shall be unlauiully
seized and sold under this ac'. shnl
have full compensation or rcs,i'u
rion. Section seven provides tha
all slaves ct rebels shall be tree, anc
that the Commissioner shall hca
and determine the cas,s OF all wh'
may come hef re ! IN, in - SUNNI ar,
manner, and II they are entitled Il
freedom shall grant them certifi
cate in the name Il Tho United States
which shall be conclusive proof q
their lawlul liberation. Section {
provides that ell slaves so liberated
may he employed by tie Commis
sioner in cnltivaiing tie land coHtis
Gated hy tie United States and il
other useful labor. receiving reason
rble wages. and tbat they may b
employed. If the Commissioner con
scn,e, 10y tic commsud ny tliccrs Z
the army, 1T their discretion. IN sue
service ns may ! est contribute 10 IT.
suprr, ssior Of tie rebellion. also, Il
reasonable wages, TO hc fix q by H.
G mmiS>i"ncr. Sections nine. ter
~ d eleven provide that it 81 all l.
tie dutv ot tie President. us soon n
may lc practicable. to take miliiar
Possession OF Fi,ridp, nr 81 ruch part
as NAV he casilv occupied aud d,
i,nGcd, nud appoint Cnnimi' sior
or .ur that state. who shall carr
into II, ct tie coniiscarlun and lih,l
alton clauses oi this net and fcll IN
c,tatcs OF tie rct,ls 10 loyal pul
chae,rs. and who shall purch Sc. /,
reasonable lricos, such slaves cf 10y
nj masters rs may he Offered 10 hin
lalirg for them ont Of the COZ ii:
Gated property OF the rebels, an
giving them certificates Of freedom
The Preside is also tu,lUrz o,
. through the Commissioners in OH
: rctD sta'oe, to transport 10 flclid
the slavcs of rebels ol other ~,
. and ut them in charge Of the Cnn
y missioner there, who shall. st h
! discretion, apprentice them for su'
Toms. long or short, rot 10 exec
six years, as he may jGdge .tcs'.
loyal proliie:ors of land, who shi
= pay them reasonable wsges, a,
: give adequate security iorih,i ir GO
treatment and proper lodging q,
sust.nance. On tie expiration
y their terms Of apprenticeship. wlic
in the case OF the most capable nj
" orderly ct the negroes, will of cOur
= he short, they will heccme their ov
= masters. and at liberty to work
:. y. whom they plcrsc, and 60 whe
>, they please within the limits OF I
J" state of Florida. 1t is furihcrmC
!" provided, that Florida shall be h,
y and governed by the military row
'e of tho United States, until tie Pr,
u dent shall be satisfied INST the nee,
!" si,y tor military occupation t
passed away, when he shall CONN
- nicate the fact TO Congress. a
u recommend the erection oi II PROV
- &c ional government similar 10 those
W the territories OF the United Stat
TO- or If there be sufficient number
a" loyal white inhabitants to emit
AZ them to II Representative in c.
y" gress, he shall recommend the pa
~ age OF an act authorizing them
"e form a state government and Con
nc tniinn excluding slavery. The
We naming sections of the bill prov
'' for the disposition OF The coniiscs,
~, fund, which is to he IA, d TO pay
'e expenses incurred under this {
90 and to compensate loyal creditors
70 rebels and loya! citizens who h
e" gu lost their property by the rebollio
1 -.--~
CoTroN Orxa ATOMS At BEAUFORT