Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-20
o. XVIII WASHINGTON D. c.. FRIDAY. DECEMBER 1861.
Senator wilson's Bill for the Abolition of
Slavery In the District Of Columbia.

senator Wflson's Bill fer the Abolition of
Slavery In the District Of Columbia.
The following 10 the bill Introduced In the
United States Senate on Monday by Senator VIII.
son for the release Of certain persons held in
vice Of labor In the District Of Columbia:
Be 1t enacted, etc That all persons held to ser
vice or labor within the District Of Columbia, by
reason Of African descent, are hereby discharged
and freed Of and from al claim to such service
or labor; and subsection to service or labor, pro-
In the said District.
Sec. Be it further enacted, That all persons
holding claims to service labor gainst persons
discharged therefrom by this act may within
ninety days from the passage thereof, ibut not
thereafter) present to the commissioners herein
after mentioned their respective statement or peti
t0ns In writing, verified by oath affirmation,
seuing forth the names, ages and personal descrp.
tions Of such persons, the manner In which said
peuuoneB acquired such claims, and any facts
touching the value thereof
sec.S BE ts fsrthsy enacted, That the Presi-
dent OF the United States with the advice and
consent OF The Senate. shall appoint three commits
sloners, residents Of the District of Columbia any
TWO OF whom shall have power to act, who shalt
rsceIve the petition above mentioned, and who
saau eppfase the apportion under the proviso
nefetofore annexed, the value in money Of the
several claims by them found to be valid = Pro
ct9sd, hoto.rsr, That the entire sum s1 appraised
ano apportioned shall not exceed In the aggreg ate
an amount equal TO three hundred dollars for
claim -
Sec Be farth.r enacted, That said com.
mlsloners shall, within nine months from the
passage Of this act make f1ll aud final report of
tneir Proceedings, hndings and appraisements
ana snail deliver the same 10 the Secretary Of the
treasury, which report shall be deemed and ia ken
10 oe conclusive In all respects, except as herein
after provided, and the Secretary Of the Treasury
snail, with like exception, cause the amounts 40
apporuoned to said claims to be paid from the
reasurv OF the U. = to the parties found by re-
port TO be lawful holdefssthereoH and the same
hall be rece we'd In full and complete compensa-
! on: ProcideS, That In cases where petitions
may De MED, presenting conflicting claims or set
Hhg up liens, the commissioners shall so specify
Ia stld report, and payment shall not oe made ac-
cording to the award CT the said commissioners
9ntil period Of sixty days shall have elapsed
g ua[lng which time, any petitioners claiming an
interest in the particular amount may Ale bill
In equity In the Circuit Court OF the District
OF Columbia, setting forth the proceedings In sue
case oefore the said commissioners and their ac-
tlon tnerein, ana praying that the party to whom
payment has been awarded NAV be enioined from
receiving the same; and IL the said Court shall
grant such provisional order, copy thereof
may, on motion Of the said complainant, be served
upon the Secretary Of tbs Treasury who shall
thereupon cause the said amount Of money 10
De paid. Into the said Court, subject to its
order. and final decree, which payment shall be
cases.
Sec. Be 1t further enacted, That the said
commissioners shall hold their tessions in the
CV OF washington, at such place and times as
the PRESIDENT OK the United States may direct of
winch they shall give due and public notice
iheY snail have power to subpoena and compel
tne attendance OF witnesses, and to receive testi-
mony and enforce its production as In civil cases
oeiore courts Of justice, and they NAV summon
Oeiore them the persons making claim n service
ana labor, and examine them under oath and
tney may also, for purposes OF Identification and
appratsement, call before them the persons 40
claimed The said commissioners shall appoint
a clerk, who shall keep the files and complete
record OF all proceedings before them who shall
nave power to administer oaths and erirmatIons
In the said proceedings, and who shall issue all
lawful processes by them ordered The marshal
OF the District Of Columbia shall personally or by
deputy, attend uron the sessions of the said com.
missienets, and shall execute the process issued
by the said clerk
Sec. 6. Be IL further enacted, That the said
commissioners shall receive in compensation for
their services the sum Of 50 600 each to be paid
upon the hing Of their report that the said clerk
shall receive for his services the sum of 5000 per
month; that the said marshal shall receive such
lees az are allowed by law for similar services
performed by him in the Circuit Court Of the Dis
flrt OF Columbia that the Secretary Of the Treas
nfy shall cause all other reasonable expenses Of
the said commission to be audited and allowed
and that the said compensation fees and ex penses
shall be paid from the Treasury of the United
States.
Sec :. Be ii further enacted, That for the pur-
pose Of carrying this act into effect there Is here
by appropriated from the Treasury Of the United
states, sum not exceeding one million Of dollars