The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1863-02-04
[ OttOn,

The following important hilI was intro
duced " it," S o,,", Friday, by Mr.
Palmer, Chairman Of the Committee on
Agriculture and iuterns Improvements :
4 Bill TO Prepcnt and Punish the Plan.
I ting and Cwii vuti"q, IN Mis State,
Deer certain Quantity of Cotton du.
ring the ,Oar wiM the AJoijtionjsty.
SEC. l. BE ii enacted by the Senate
and House Of Representatives., mow met
and sitting IN General assembly, and by
authority # tie same, Tha' it shall not
be lawful for. any person or persons,
whether ris ding in th~ State or not. to
plant and cultivate in any District in this
State, by themselves, their agents or en-
ployees, or 10 allow the same 10 be done,
a greater number Of acres OF land in cot
ton than three acres for each hand owned
or employed hy them between the ages
of fifteen and fly five; and when said
person or persons may own or employ
hands over fifty five wears Of age and un
der sixty five, or over twelve years Of age
and under fifteen, two of said hands shall
he connted as one hahd and therefore,
sar@ person or persons may pant and
cultivate three acres Of land in cotton,
and no more, for every two Of said hands
so owned or employed by them.
SEC. 2. That every violator OF this
!aw shall be guilty OF u misdemeanor, and
upon conviction thcfe,f, shall beiin d, for
every acre so planted more than three 10
the hand or hands, or six to the two hands
or hands, or nine acres to the ;hrce hands
or hands. aLd 50 on in proportion to the
number Of hands employed, the sum of
five hundred dollars fot each and every
acre so planted above the number spec,.
feG one half OF which sum shall be, in
cases where there is a prosecutor or in.
former, paid to said prosecutor or irform
er, who shall he compe,en, witness to
prove the fact, and the other half paid To
the "Soldiers' Bonrd Of Relief Of the Dis
trict where such conviction takes place,
and in case there be no prosecutor, the
whole penalty to be paid to the Soldiers
Board Of Relief"
SEC. 3. That any person or persons,
who may intend or desire to prosecute
any person or persons for the violation Of
this Act, may, upon application to any
Magistrate Of the District, supported by
that he has good reason 10 be
lleve that said law has bsen violated, OBJ
tain an order requiring any Deputy Sur.
vey"r Of the District 10 enter the premises
of said person and make survey Of all
the lands so planted and cultivated in
cotton, ard said person shall pay said
Surveyor for making said survey his usual
fees, which shall be taxed in the bill of
costs, on the final adjudication Of the
same.
Sgc. 4. That all owners Of slaves or
employees shall give in, on oath, to the
Tax Collector the number Of bands own
ed and employed by them between the
ages Of twelve and fifteen, and fifteen and
fifty FIVE, and fifty five and sixty five, each
year during sa'd war; and for false 10
turn herein, he, she or they shall be sub
ject to all the pains and penalties Of per
jury.
SEC. 5. Tba. the Judges Of the Courts
Of Common Pleas and General Sessions
be required to give this law specially in
charge to the Grand Juries, at each term
OF their Courts, during said war with the
A Abolitionists.
Mr.. B. F. Perry introduced in the
House the following resolutions; which
were ordered for consideration the next
day.
Whereas, during the last fall. his Ex !