, 1862-04-23
THE BILL OF FREEDOM,
EMANCIPATlONINT TIE DISTRICT.

AN ACT for the releasing of certain persons held
to ferrlce OF labor In the District of columbla.
&c it enacted By the Senate and House Of Rep
rts~7.tati7esfof TIE United States Of A71eTied in
CongTess Asse1n5led, That all persons held to
service or labor within the District of Coun-
pla W reason Of African descent arc hereby
discharged and freed Of and from all claim to
such service or labor; and from aud after the
passage Of this act neither slavery nor iuvol-
iuta1y servitude, except for crime, whereof
the party shall BE- duly convicted, shall here
after e1istin said District.
Sec. 9. 4nd oc It further enacted, That ali per
soma loyal to the United States, holding claims
TO service OF labor against persons discharged
therefrom q this act. may. within ninety
after, present to the Commissioners hcrein-
after mentioned their respective statements
or petitions in writing, verified By o3th or
affirmation, setting forth the names, ages, and
personal description Of such persons, the
manner N which said petitioners acquired
such claim, and any facts touching the value
thereof, and declaring his allegiance to the
Government Of the United States, aud that
PC bas not borne arms against the United
States during the presentsrebeltiou, nor in any-
way giving aid or comfort thereto: Provided,
shala ststad not be aenee Of the facts herein
SEC S. And beis further enocfo3, That the
President Of the United States, With the adTice
and consent Of the Senate, shall appoint three
commissioners, residents OF the District OF
Columbia, any two Of whom sha1i have po~er
to act, who shall receive the petitions above
mentioned, and who shall investigate aud de-
teF1nlne the validity and value of the claims
therein presented, as aforesaid, and appraise
and apportion, under the proyiso hereto an
neSed, the value in money Of the seT eral claims
By them found to be valid; PROVIDED, howeper,
+ inat the entire sum so appraised and appor-
TONED shaN not exceed in the aggregate
an amount equal to $500 for each person
shown TO hare been SO held by lawful claim;
And P.uttdaa, further, That no claim shall be
allowed for any s1nTe OF slnves brought Into
saad Distrtet after the passage Of this set nor
Tor any slave claimed By any person who Pas
United statea In the present rebellion, OF IN
any waJ given aid or comfort thereto, or which
originates In OF by virtue Of any transfer here
tofcre made, or which shall hereafter be made
By any pe1son who has In any manner aided
or sustained the rebellion against the Govern
ment Of the United States.
SEC. e 4ad Be u further ENACTED, Thst said
| Commissioners shall, within nine months
from the passage Of this act, make 9
full and final report Of their proceeding, hnd-
ings and sppraisementr and -shalf deliver the
same to the Secretary Of the Treasury, which
| report shall be deemed and taken to be con-
/ elusive In all respects, except as hereinafter
provided; and the Secretary Of tka Treasury
shall, with like exceptions, cause the amounts
80 appoxtloned to said claims: to be
paid from the Treasury Of the. United
States to the part3es found by. said re-
port to be entitled thereto; ~ Aforesaid,
aud the same sha0 be received IN full and