The New York herald., 1862-04-12
The Bill Emancipating Slaves fn the
District of Columbia.

The following IS a copy OF Senator Wilson's bill for
tho emancipation Of slaves in tue District OF Coumb,
which was concurred IN nv the House Of
yestsrdsy by vote Of nineiythree yeas TO thirty inc
nays IL HhaaReviously passed the Senate by vote OF
tweuty.niue 10 fourteen and the vote in each in.
stance has been twohrd one, there is no danger Of
It's being Affected by any veto
, ELL FOR THE RELEASE or CERTAIN PERSONS
HELD To SERVICE OK LABOR IN THE DISTRICT or
COLUMBIA.
he Il enocted bu me Seaote and House Of Rspysseatrss
of he U,i,si So,cs Of America Congress assembled,
Thai all persons held TO service labor within the Dis
tict OF Columbia by reason Of African descent, are hero
by discharged and freed OF and from all claim 10 snoh
vice or labor and from and after the passage Of this act
neither slavery nor involuntary scrvitude, except for
crime whereof the party shall be duly convicted, shall
hereafter exist In said district.
sec ?. And Dc fur,ler enscsd That all persons loyal
70 the United States holding claims 10 service or labor
agsnst persons discharged therefrom by this act may,
within ninety days from tho passage thereof, but
not thereafter, present TO tue commissioners here
matter mentioned their respective statements or Pc.
titions in writing, verified by oath ahrmpton,
setting forth the names ages and personal description
OF such persons the manner in which said petitioners
acquired such claim, and any facts touching the value
thereof and declaring his alcgance to the government
OF the United States. And that he has not borne
against the United States duping he present rebellion,
nor In any way given aid comfort thereto Prorbtsd
That he oath of tue party TO the petition shall not bs
| svidefce Of the facts therein stated
sec D. And% ~ fth. eHaeed rnst tns y e.dep, f ,S. o.
senate shall appoint three commissioners residents OF
the District of Columbia, any two Of whom shall nave
power act who shall receive the petitions above men
tioped and who shall gate aud determine the vs
dy value Of the claims therein presented as store-
said apprass and spporton under the provso
| annexed the vsuo in money OF the several chims Dy
them found 20 be valid Prosded hocery That the entire
sum so appraised apporoned shall not exceed in the
aggregate an 70 three for each
psrson shown tohave been so held by lawful clam And
poordsd further That claim shall be allowed 10 any
Slave or slaves brought said District after the
OF his act or which originates in or by virtue trans
fer herstosers made which shall hereafter be made,
nv an persop who has any manner aided sustained
the rebellion sssnst the government OF the United
states. ., !. 80, a, ~, ---,--,-
ara sall within nine months from the passage OF this
act make full and FINAL report Of their proceedings nnd
nQs and apprasement and shall deliver the same 10 the
crstary OF the Treasury which report shall bo doomed
and taken 10 be conclusive in all respects except as here
matter provided and the Secretary Of the Treasury
SHALT with like exception, the amounts so appor
toned said claims TO be paid from the Treasury o.
the United states 10 the parties found by said repor
to be entitled thereto aforesaid, and the sarn'
shall be received In full and complete compensation
I',rrdod That In wbe petitions may be hed pro
senling conflicting claims setting up liens, said com
issoners shall specify ia said roptt, and rayncn
sha not he ado according 70 the award OF said cor
! missiouers until period of sXty days shah 'h.S
elstsud dpring which timo aiy petitioner ogmss