Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-10-23

Chap LIvAn Act for the Release of certain Persons
held to Service OF Labor in the District of Columbia
Be ii enacted 6y the Senate and House Of Representa-
ttues Of the United States OF America Congress
sembled That all persons held service labor with
in the District of Columbia by of African de-
scent are hereby discharged and freed OF and from all
claim to such service or labor and from and after the
passage of this act neither slavery nvo untary
vitude, except for crime, whereof the party shall be
duly convicted, shall hereafter exist in said District
Sec. 2. And be further enacted, That all persons
loyal to the United States holding claims service
labor against persons discharged thereom by this act
may within ninety days from the passage thereof but
not thereafter present to the commissioners hereinafter
mentioned their respective statements petitions in
writing verified by oath affirmation, setting forth
the names ages, and personal description Of such
sons the manner in which said petitioners acquired
such claim and any facts touching the value thereof
and declaring his allegiance to the Government of the
United States and that he has not borne arms against
the United States during the present rebellion, nor in
any way given aid comfort thereto Propided, That
the oath Of the party to the petition shall not be evil
Sec 5. And be IL further enacted, That the President
Of the United States with the advice and consent Of the
Senate snail appoint three commissioners residents Of
the District of Columbia, any two Of whom shall have
power to act who shall receive the petitions above
toned and who shall investigate and determine the
validity and value OF the claims therein presented,
aforesaid, and apprase and apporton, under the
vso hereto annexed the value in money OF the several
claims by them found to be valid Provided, however,
That the entire sum 50 appraised and apportoned shall
not exceed IN the aggregate amount equal to three
hundred dollars for each person shown TO have been
held by lawful claim And provided, further, That
claim shall be allowed for any slave slaves brought
into said District after the passage of this act for
any slave claimed by any person who has borue arms
against the Government Of the United States in the
present rebellion, in any way given aid comfort
thereto, or which originates in BY virtue Of any
transfer heretofore made, which shall hereafter be
made BY any person who has in any manner aided or
sustained the rebellion against the Government of the
United States. a.ilggf A5tta
Sec 4. And be it further enacted That said commits
soners shall, within nine months from the passage OF
this act make full and final report of their proceed
ings, findings, and superintendent and shall deliver the
same to the Secretary of the Treasury which report
shall be deemed and taken to be conclusive in all
spects except hereinafter provided; and the Secre
tary of the Treasury shall, with like exception, cause
the amounts apportioned to said claims to be paid
from the Treasury Of the the United States to the par
ties found BY said report to be entitled thereto afor
said, and the shall be received in full and
plets compensation Propidsd That in where pc
titions may be filed presenting conflicting claims, Of
setting up enes said commissioners shall specify IN
said report and payment shall not be made according
| to the award of said commissioners until period O.
sixty days shall have elapsed, during which time any
petitioner claiming interest the particular amount
may e bill equity in the Circuit Court Of the Dis
trct of Columbia, making all other claimants defend
ants thereto setting forth the proceedings in such
before said commissioners and their action therein
praying that the party TO whom payment has been
awarded may be enjoined from receiving the same;
if said court shall grant such provisional order, cop
thereof may, on motion Of said complainant be