, 1862-07-16
The CoHHHcafloD Bill,

The following is synopsis Of the bill agreed
upon By the Conference Committee, and
passed By both Houses Of Congress By a t9o-
thirds vote, viz:
Mr: Eliot (Rep. Mass.) made report from
cation bill They recommend that the House
secede from their disagreement and agree to
the Senate, with certain notifications, so Us
to provide as follows: tEyery person who
shall commit the crime Of treason against the
United States, and shall b. ad]udgtd guilty
il he have any, shall be declared and made
free, or he shall be imprisoned for not less
than five years, and fined not less than
S10,oo0, and all his estate, real aud personal,
excluding slaves, shall be levied upon, any
sale Or conveyance to the contrary notWith-
standing II any person hereafter shall inciie,
set nfoot, assist, or engageiu in any rebellion or
mEurrectlon against the authority of the Uni
ted States Or the laws thereof, or shall give
aid Or comfort to any such existing rebellion
or insurrection. and be convicted thereof,
such person shall be punished By the forfeit
ure OF all his personal property Of every kind
whatever, or shall be punished by imprison-
nent ten years and tined not exceeding SO, 900,
and his slaves, if be has any, be liberated at
the discretion Of the court, and all such prop
erty. excluding slaves, shall be forfeited TO
the United States.
Every person guilty Of either Of the offanses
described in this act, shall be forever incapl-
Bile and disqualified to hold any office under
the United States. This act Is not to be con-
sITucd In any way to affect Or alter the prose
cutlon, conviction or punishment OF any per-
Eon guilty OF treason against the United States.
To insure the speedy termination Of the pres
cnt rebellion, the president is authorized to
c:use the seizure Of ali property, real aud per
sonai, Of all such persons, and apply and use
the proceeds Of the same for the support Of
the United Statcs- Five classes Of persons
are affected BY this bill.
!. Of every person who shall act as pEesi-
dent, vlee'president, member Of Congress,
Judge Of any court. cabinet officer, foreign
minister, commissioner, or consul Of the So
called confederate States.
2. OF every person who shall act as govern
or OF State, member Of convention or leg
fslature, or judge Of any State court Of the So
called confederate States.
:. OteVery person who, having held an Office
ofhopor, trust or profit in the United States,
shall hereafter hold an office in the so-cal1ed
confederate StateB.
4. Of every person who shall hold aug Office
or agency under the so-called Confederate
States, or under Of the States thereof.
$. OF every person who shall act as an Off
cer Of the rebel army aud navy. The presi.
dent js authorized to issue q proclamation
| calling on every person not within the above
| c1asseS who, at1er the passage Of the act, be-
| ing wilfu1Iy and without compul=ion engaged
| in armed rebellion, shall not within sixty
days lay down their arms aud return to their
allegiance, that their property shall be confis-
Gated.
The bill also disqnalifes said five cla;ses
from holding office under the United s:ates
| government. The president is authorized tC
nego'iate for the acquisition, by treaty o1
! otherwise, Of lands or countries in Mexico
Central America or South Amer.ca, or in tht
islands III the Gulf Of Mexico, or for tht
right Of settlement upon the lands Of salt
countries for all persons liberated under thi:
| act, to be removed with their oHn consent
For the purpose Of paying the expense Of the
purchase Of lands and the removal, the presi
dent shall use such money as Congress mn,
from time to time direct. arising out Of tn
eales Of the property formerly owned b.
to the use OF the United States.
All Slaves Of persons hereafter engaged in re
bellion, OF who shall In any way give aid aa'
comfort thereto, escaping to, and taking re
tuge within the lines Of our army, and al
slaves deserted By their masters, aud comm
under control Of the government Of th
United States, and all slaves found at p1sce
| occupied By rebel forces, aud after ward b
United States troops, shall be held to be car
tivcs of war, and be forever tree from thel
service, and no longer held as slaves; no slay
| escaping from one Stste to another State sha
be delivered up except for crime or som
other offense against the law OF the Unite
States, until the claimant shall first make oat
| as TO his lawful ownership, and that he has nc
borne arms in the present rebellion, or give
aid and comfort thereto. No person engage
in naval OF military service shall decide Oh ii
| validity Of the claim or surrender such slave
on pain Of being dismissed from he service
The president is authorized to employ
| many persons Of African descent for the snj
| preston of the rebellion, and use them
lie welfare, and the President is also authori
ed to make provision for colonizing the blacl
beyond the limits of the United States. II
president is authorized to extend to prisone
! In rebellion pardon and amnesty on such CO.
) ditions as he may deem expedient for the pu
. lie welfare.
TIE title Of the bill was amended SO IS
read "For the suppression of insutrectio
!. and the pnnishment and seizure OF the pro
= erty Of the rebels, and for other purposes"