Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-04-22
The DIstrlot emancipation BlII.

The district Emanolpatlon rn.
The following is an official copy of the
bill for the abolition of slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia, as approved by the Pres
ident on the 18th instant:
an Aet for the release of certain persons held
to ssyyice or labor IN tie District of CO.
lumGid. Ina
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of
| America in Congress assembled, That all
persons held to service or labor within
the District of Columbia by reason of At
riCan descent are hereby discharged and
! freed of aud from all claim to such service
or labor aud from aud after the passage
Ofthis act neir her slavery nor involuntary
! servitude, except for crime, whereof the
| party shall be duly convicted, shall exist
! in said District
SEC. 2. Aud be it further euncted, That
all persons loyal to the United States, hold.
! ing claims to service or labor against per.
sons discharged therefrom by this act, may,
within ninety days from the passage there.
of, but not thereafter, present to the Com
missiOners hereinafter mentioned their re.
| spective statements or petitions in writing,
verified by oath or affirmation, 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 de-
| Claring his allegiance to the government of
the United States, and that he has not
borne arms against the Uhitsd States dar-
ing the present rebellion, nor in any way
given aid or comfort thereto: Provided,
That the oath of the party TO the petition
shall not be evidence of the facts therein
stated.
SEC. ,. And be it further enacted, That
the President of the United States, with
the advice and consent of the Senate, shall
appoint three Commissioners, residents of
the District of Columbia, any two of whom
shall have power to act, who shall receive
the petitions above mentioned, and who
shall investigate and determine the validi-
ty and value of the claims therein pre-
sented, as aforesaid, and appraise aud ap-
portion, under the proviso hereto annexed,
the value in money OF the several claims
by them found to be valid; Provided,
however, That the entire sum so appraised
aud apportioned shall not exceed in the
aggregate an amount equal to three hun.
dred dollars for each person shown to have
| been so held by lawful claim. And pro-
vided, further, That no claim shall be al
lowed for anyslave or slaves brought into
said District after the passage of this act,
nor for aay slave claimed by any person
who has borne arms against the Govern
ment of the United States in the present
rebellion, or in any way given aid or COM
fort thereto, or which originates in or by
virtue of any transfer heretofore made, or
which shall hereafter be made, by any per-
son who has in any manner aided or sus-
tanned the rebellion against the Govern
ment of the United States.
SEC. 4.And be it further enacted, That
said commissioners shall, within nine
months from the passage of this act, make
a full and fnal report of their proceedings,
| findings and appraisement, and shall de-
4 liver the same TO the Secretary ofthe Treas-
ury, which report shall be deemed and ta-
ken to be conclusive in all respects, except
4 as hereinafter provided and the Secretary
cause the amounts 50 apportioned to said
claims to be paid from the Treasury of the
United States to the parties found by said
report to be entitled thereto as aforesaid,
4 and the same shall be received in full and
Il complete compensation; Provided, That in
cases where petitions may be filed present