The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-07-25
The COnfiscatiOn Bill.

son and Rebellion, to seize and confscate the
property of Rebels. and for other purposes.
Such is the title of the bill which, having
previously passed the House by vote of 50
to A, passed the Senate on Friday last by a
vote of 2S to IL. No doubt obtains as to its
signature by the President. The bill is in IA
sections, and the essential points are the fol-
lowing:
1. Whoever shall be guilty of treason, af-
ter the passage of this act, and be adjudged
guilty, shall suffer death, and his slaves if he
has any, shall be free; or he shall be impris-
oned not less than five years, be fined not less
than $4,000 and all his slaves if he has any,
shall be free; and all his property, real and
personal-not including slaves-at the time
of his conviction, shall be held to pay the
fine.
=. Whoever after the passage of this act,
shall engage in, aid, or incite to any rebellion
or insurrection, uhe present rebellion includ-
ed) against the authority of the United
States, and be convicted thereof, shall be i'm
prisoned not less than ten years, and pay a
fine of not exceeding $4,000. and all his
slaves, if he have any, shall be free.
3. Every person guilty of either OF the
offenses named in the act, shall be forever in
capable of holding office under the United
States.
4. This act does not interfere with the
prosecution. conviction of punishment of any
person guilty of treason before the passage
Of this act, unless convicted under this act
). To insure the speedy end Of the rebel
lion, it is the daty of the President to cause
the seizure of all the property, money, credits
and effects of persons hereafter acting as off.
GERS in the army or navy of the rebels, or a.
President, Vice President, Member of Con.
gress, Judge of any court, Cabinet officers
Foreign Minister, Commissioner or Consul
of the sO-called Confederate Siates-or a:
Governor. Member of Convention or Legis.
lature, or Judge of any of the so-called Con.
tedera,e States-and of any persons who
shall have held any Office or agency under
said Confederacy or rebel State, having &C
cepted said office or election. of taking al
oath of allegiance TO said rebel Confederacy
since the act or ordinance or pretended seces
sion.-also of any person owning property il
any loyal State or Territory in the District o
Columbia who shall hereafter assist or Civ,
aid and comfort to the rebellion. And tn.
President is to apply the property SO seizet
TO the support of the army and navy of ths
United States.
&. If there be any other classes of per
sons than those named, who after sixty days
notice by proclamation fiom the President
shall not cease to aid or abet the rebellion
and return TO their allegiance, their propert!
is to be liable to seizure as aforesaid.
1&S. Sections provide that the proceed
ings for seizure and condemnation shall be a
near as may be like those in admiralty ant
revenue cases for the seizure and conversio,
of the property of public enemies to the US
of the government and for the giving o
valid title to purchasers.
8. Slaves of rebels and of those givin:
aid and comfort to the rebellion, when sucl
slaves shall seek the refuge of our lines, ar
to be forever free, as also slaves abandone,
by their owners and coming under the con
troll Of the government; as also the slave
found at places falling under our military oe
cupation.
10. Fugitive slaves, escaping from on
State into another, except in cases of Grim
| against tie United States, &C., shall not b
: delivered up until the claimant shall hav
: sworn that he is and has been loyal to tn
5 Union.
: IL. The President is authorized to en-
!, ploy as many persons of African descent an
in what way lie sees necessary and proper fc
the suppression of the rebellion, and to O.
ganize and use them as he judges best ft
e the public welfare.
II. Authorizes the President to mai
provision for the transportation, colonizatio
f and settlement in some tropical country b
: yond the limits of the United States, of sue
+ persons of the African race as may be mat
r free by this act and may be willing to en-
$ CRATE.
+ Is. Authorizes the President, hereafte
e to proclaim pardon and amnesty to tho
who have taken part in the rebellion, und
q such exceptions, and at such time, and
: such conditions as he may deem expedie
q for the public welfare.
It IA. Empowers the courts to do whatev
h is necessary to carry this act into effect.
d The Bill appears to be substantially goo
# and proper one: pity it could not have be'
e passed year ago. But Congress and Il
h Departments were then filled with the motto
/. that kind words and gentle handling wou
% charm the evil spirit of rebellion to sleep fc
a. ever. They are wiser now.
n, Street lamns have heen erect ad and i;,,