New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-18
EMANCIPATION IN THE DISTRICT.


EMANCIPATION IN THE DISTRICT
AN ACT for release Of certain persons held service or
labor In the Ditrct OF Columbia
Be ii enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatves Of the United States Of America IN Con-
Rress as@mbked That all persons held to service or
labor within the District of Columbia BY reason OF
African descent are hereby discharged and freed OF
and from all claim to such service or labor ana
from and after the passage of this act neither slavery
involuntary eervituds, except for crime whereof
the party shsi be duly convicted, shall hereafter
exist in said District.
SEc. 2. And be 1t further enated, That oil persons
loyal 10 the United States holding claims to service
labor against persons discharged therefrom by tpis
act, may. within ninety days from the passage there-
Of but not thereafter, present to the Commissioners
hereinafter mentioned their respective sateinohts OF
petitions in wrtiog verified by oath or affirmation,
setting forth the names, ages and personal descrP
ton O such persons the manner 10 which sald pet-
tiones acquired such claim, and any facts touching
the value thereof and declaring bis allegiance TO tDe
Government of the United States, aud that he has
not borne against the United States during the
present rebellion, in any way given aid or com
fort thereto: Prortded That the oath OF the party
to the petition shall not be evidence OF the facts
therein stated
SIC. 3. And be ii further enacted, That the Pres
ident Of tho United States with the advice and con-
sent Of the Senate, shall appoint three Commission
ers resideDts Of the District of Columbia any two
Of whom shall have pow.r 70 act, who shall receive
the petitions above mentioned, and who shall ipves'
tig.te aud determine the validity and value OF the
claims therein presented aforesaid, and appralse
and appotion under the provso hereto annexed, the
value ia money Of the several claims by them found
to bo valid; Prorided, howerer, That the e0tire
sum 30 appraised and apportioned shnll not exceed
in the aggregate an amount equal to three hundred
dollars for each person shown to have teen 30 held
by lawful claim; And prorided, JWther, That no
claim shall be allowed for any slave or slaves brought
into said District after the passage Of this oct, nor
for any slaye claimed by any person who has borne
arms against the Government OF the United States
10 the present Rebellion, or in any way given and
or comfort thereto which originates in or by var.
hereafter be made by any person who has IN any
manner aided sustained the Rebellion against the
Government Of the United States.
SIC. 4. And be Il farth1r enoctsd That @id Com
missioner shall within nine months from the passage
Of this act, make full and final report Of their pro-
ceedings findings aud apprsisement, and shall deliver
the same to the Secretary Of the Treasury, which
report shall be deemed and taken 10 be conclusive in
all respects except as hereinafter provided and tho
Secretary of the Treasury shall, with ike exception,
canse the amounts appotioned to ssd claims to be
paid from the Treasury Of the United States 10 the
parties found by said report 10 be entitled thereto ss
aore-aid and the same shall be received in full and
complete CONDENSATION: Provided, That in cases
where petitions may be filed presenting conflicting
claims or setting up liens, said Commissioners shall
% specify in said report and psyment slal rot be
made according to the award of said Commissioners
until period OF sixty days shall have elapsed during
Wi time any petitioner claiming nm interest IN the
particular amount may file bill in equity in the
Circuit Court of the District Of Columbia, making all
other claimants defendants thereto setting forth the
proce. dlngs in such before said Commissioners
and their action therein and praying that the party
to W HON payment has been awarded may be en-
Joined from receiving the same; and If said court
shall gran; such provisionhl order, copy thereof
nav, On motion Of said omplainant be served upon
the Secretary Of tho Treasury who shall thereupon
cause the rsd amount Of money 10 be paid into said
court subject 10 its orders and hnal decree, which
payment shall be in full aud complete compensation,
~ in other cases.
src. 5. Aad bc Il further enacted, That said Com
ms.iouers shall hold their sessions in the City Of
Wushiugto at such place and times as the Presi-
dent of the United States may direct, Of which they
hall give due and public notice. They shall have
power ~ sub,e and compel tie attention of wit
ne,ses aud 70 receive testimony and enforce its pro-
dac;ion ia civil cases before courts Of justice
without the exclusion oi any wituess account OF
color; and they may summon before them tho per-
sol making claim 10 sory!ce or labor and examine
em under oath; and they may also for purposes of
identification and spprsement, call before them the
PERSONS 20 claimed. Said Commissioners shall ap-
point q clerk who ehall keep files aud complete
record Of all proceedings before them, who shall
have power TO administer oath- and aiirmations in
sa,d proceediug- aud who sha issue all lawfu pro-
Gers hy them ordered. he Marshal of the District
Of Columbia shall personally, or ty deputy, attend
uDon the sesions OF said ConmisrioneIs and shall
execute the process issued by said clerk
Src q. And be Il further enacted. That said Com.
nirsloners sh al receive in compensation for their
,,ryices the sum Of g. 90 EACH 10 be paid upon the
fling Of their report; that said Clerk shall receive
for h- services tie OF 500 per month; that said
Narrhal shall receive such fees as are allowed by
law for similar services performed by him IN the
Circuit Court OF the District of Columbia that the
S,cre ary OF the Treasury shall cause all other
,ouable expenses of said Commlss on TO be audited
and allowed and that said compensation, fees, and
espenses shall be paid from the Treasury Of the
United States.
S.c.7. Aad be IL fqrther eHacted, That for the
rnro5e Of carrying ths act into effect th-re Ii here
by appropriated, out Of any money in the treasury
not Otherwise appropriated, "a sum not exceeding
4 ,0OOOJ.
srB. s. And be Il fyriier ,Haetcd, That any per-
son or persons who shall kldnap, or in any iGal nor
transport or procure 10 be taken ou OF saId Dir ric
nny person or persons discharged aud freed
by the pfoysio1s Of tLs act OF any Ire Ierson or
,ru, with intent TO re-eusaye or rel snch person
ar per,ons into Slavery, or shall renslave any Of
and freoa pefsOns the person or persons 30 offending
.hail be deemed guilty Of felony, and on conyic-
ton thereof II any court Of competent jurisdiction ~
sid District shat be inprsoned M the Peuiteniary
uot letr tbhh hNc nor Aoi' 'h'" '"Nn'l )'"'S'
SIC. 9. Ind bc Il turther eHGctcd, That within
twenty DAYS or within snch further time 40 the
Comuls loEers herein provided for shall limit after
the lns-agc of thS aci, "A statement IN writing or
scbedule -hll be flied with the Clerk OF the Circuit
,our, lor the District Of Colambia by the several
owners or claimants 10 the services OF the persons
made free or manuwitted by ilis act, setting forth
The names, ages, sex. and particular deecnption OF
,neh Iersons, severaliy; and the SAID Clerk shall
celye and record, III hook by him TO be provided
and kept for that purpose, the said statements or
,bedues on receiving hity cents each therefor and
no claim shall be allo wed to uny claimant owner
who shall neglect tlis requirement.