Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-07-24
Passage orthe ComGscation Bill.

Both Houses Of Congress having pass
ed this bill, by vote in each House, Of
about two to one, we shall give it to our
readers without extended comment. In
the House the bill commanded 80 to ~
against its adoption. In the Senate,
Ayes u Nays 49, Senators Collamer and
Rice not voting, and Senator'S Dixon,
Howe, Latham, Smith, Pearco and
Tompson being absent.
Every person who shall commit the
crime oftrcason against the United States,
and shall be ajudged guilty thereof, shall
suffer death, and all his slaves, if he has
any, shall be declared and made Free or
he shall be imprisoned for not less than
five years. and fined not less than $40, 900
and all his estate real and person, inclu-
ding slaves, shall be levied upon, any
sale or coveyancc to the contrary not
withStanding. If any person shall here
after incitc, set on foot, assist, or engage
in any rebellion or insurrection against
the authority of the United States, or the
laws thereof, or shall give aid or comfort
to any such existing rebellion or insur
rcction, and be convicted thereof such
person shall be punished by the forfeiture
of all his personal property of every kind
whatever, or shall be punished by impris-
Onmcnt ten years, and fined not exceed
ing $40, 900, and his slaves, if he has any,
Hbe liberated at the discretion OF the court,
and all such property, excluding slaves,
| shall be forfeited to the United States
Every person guilty of either of the Of
| fences described in this act shall be for
ever incapable and disqualified to hold
any office under the United States. This
act is not to be construed in any way to
affect or alter the prosecution, conviction
or punishment of any person guilty Of
treason against the United States.
TO insure the speedy termination Of the
present rebellion, the President is author
lied to cause the seizure of all property,
real and personal of all such persons,
and apply and use the proceeds of the
same for the support of the United States.
| Five classes of persons are affected by
this bill-those who shall hereafter hold
the Office OF President, Vice President,
Member of Congress, foreign, Minister,
&c under the so-caled Confederate States
The President is authorized to issue
proclamation, if after sixty days persons
in rebellion do not return to allegiance,
that their property shall be forfeited, &c.
! All slaves of persons hereafter engaged
in rebellion, or who shall in any way
give aid and comfort thcrto, escaping
to and taking refuge within the lines OF
our army, and all slaves deserted by their
masters, and coming under control OF the
Government of the United States, and al
slaves found at places occupied by rebel
forces, and afterwards by United States
troops, shall be held to be captives of war,
and be forever free from their service, and
no longer held as slaves; no slave esca-
ping from one State 10 another State shall
be delivered up except for crime or some
ofcnse against the United States, until
tho claimant shall first make oath as to
his lawful ownership, and that he has not
borne arms in the present rebellion, OF
given aid and comfort thereto.
No person engaged in naval or military
service shall decide on the validity of the
claim or surrender of such slaves, on pain
of being dismissed from the service. The
President is authorized to employ as
many persons of African descent for the
suppression of the rebellion, and use them
in such manner as he may deem best foi
the pubic welfare, and the President is
also authorized to make provisions fol
colonizng the blacks beyond the limits
of the United States The President i'
authorized to extend to prisoners in re-
: bellion. pardon and amnesty on such con
ditions as he may deem expedicnt for the
public welfare.