The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-02-14
Collection OF Taxes and Liberation
and Colonization OF Slaves.

The bin reported in the House by Colonel
Blair from the Committee on Military Affairs,
20 enforce the collection Of taxes, and to
liberate the slaves of rebels and to coloniEe
the same, provides that when the peaceable
collection Of taxes under tho act OF August
8, 1861, is impossible in any State or Ter
ritory in consequence Of the rebellion, the
President shall make proclamation thereof,
and il such taxes are not paid within sixty
DAYS thereafter, the lands and other property
ON which they are levied shall vest in the
United States. A board Of commissioners is
to DO established, having power to lease or
sell to loyal citizens and persons who have
served in the army and navy six months, such
lands as are forfeited under this act. Loyal
citizens who may thus be Invested OF their
property may reclaim the same within two
years. ON producing proof OF their loyalty
All transfer, of property OF whatever nature,
In possession Of persons in rebellion against
the Government, from and after the passage
of this act, are declared null and void.
All slaves belonging to persons engaged in
or aiding the present rebellion, whenever
captured by the armed forces OF the United
States, or who shall be brought to or yolun-
tarily claim the protection OF such forces,
shall be declared free persons, and furnished
with certificates Of liberation. All to whom
such certificates may be given, may be en-
ployed in cultiyating lands belonging to the
limited States or in other useful labors, or
under direction OF the commanding officers OF
the army, at reasonable wages. IL shall be
the duty Of the commissioners in each State to
take charge of all such persons and employ
them in the manner stated, or bind or inden-
ture them as apprentices to loyal proprietors
of land or 10 mechanics, for terms not exceed
ING five wears, in case OF persons over twenty
one years oi age, in case OF persons under
the age of twenty-One years, for terms which
shall expire before or as soon US they shall at
tain the age of twenty-five years. Humane
treatment and reasonable wuges are to be
stipulated for, the latter TO DO paid over to
the United States and held in trust for their
benefit.
The President is authorized to acquire by
purchase any lands or countries in Mexico,
Central America or South America, or in
the islands of the Gulf OF Mexico, or to ACQUIRE
by treaty from thogoyernments oiany oil said
countries the right OF settlement upon lands
OF said countries for the purpose OF transfer
ring thereto the persons liberated as above,
who shall receive not exceeding forty acres OF
land each except heads OF families, who may
be allotted eighty acres, and the money ~
ceiyed for their wages by the United States
shall be used to deiray tho expenses OF Their
removal, together with such other sums a.
Congress may direct, derived from the sale Of
couiisca,cd rebel property. Whenever any
State shall libcrate the slaves within its Dor
ders, the President is authorized to receive
and dispose Of them in the same manner ~
in the case of the persons named above. Fre'
negroes may avail themselves OF the provisions
of this act in regard to colonization.-Bo'to'
Journal.