Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-02-04
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.

| CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS, Esq, NC, &c.
Bureau Of Eman patiOn-SenatOr HOWe's BilI.
The Washington Chronicle gives the follow
ing synopsis Of bill, introduced in the Sen
ate by Judge Howe of this State, for the
establishment of Bureau Of Emancipation.
1t provides:
l. For the appointment of a commissioner,
who shall be under the direction of the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, and shall have au-
thority i'll all matters arising out of proclama-
lions by the President or military orders
now or hereafter in force, affecting in any
manner the freedom Of persons of African
descent, heretofore or hereafter held as slaves
in any State or Territory.
The salary of the commissioner is not to
exceed 81, 900 year, nor that Of clerk s., 900.
The commissioner shall seize all lands, houses
and tenements, with appurtenances thereon,
living within the rebelliouS States and Terri
tories, which are subject to cOnfscatiOn under
the law The commissioner is to be charged
with the duty of carrying into practical force
and effect the confscation law, by holding
and controlling property, &c. Military officers
having such property in charge must turn 1t
over to the commissioner The slaves are to
be wards of the Government, and are to have
its protection. The commissioner may ap-
point clerks, agents, managers superintend-
ents, surgeons chaplains, and schoo-teachers,
and establish "productive armed Occupan-
ces," provided that the proportion of such
occupants shall not be less than one hundred
loyal white male citizens to one thousand la
boring freed male persons. The Secretary Of
War is authorized to furnish arms to such Oc-
cupances. Military commanders are to rem
der them assistance to get lands and hold
them.
Section 7 is as follows:
e That any person claiming to have owned any
of the houses tenements, or lands liable to seizure
and confiscation, or who may claim rights of prop
erty persons of African descent, who shall Volun
tarily surrender all such property and persons 20
the control Of the Bureau of Emancipation, and
subscribe and take the required oath OF allegiance,
shall be deemed to have complied with the con-
ditions Of the Presidents proclamation Of amnesty
and pardon"
descriptive list of owners, as aforesaid,
is to be made and kept in the State and War
Departments. Clerks are to be appointed
for this purpose. The commissioner shall
have power IN respect to the leasing of prop
erty the disposition of freed persons, and the
establishment of schools. The Secretary of
the Treasury shall appoint a receiver of rev.
enues arising from the management of the
property, who shall receiye-alI moneys COM
ing in from the management Of said property.
Receivers salary, $4,000.
The Commissioner is authorized to receive
transport, locate, hire out to labor, and ap-
prentice to trades any and all freed persons
and provide them with food, clothing and
shelter at the expense of the Government
and may have facilities of transportation bv
the military when possible. Reports are to
be made to Congress annually All freed
persons coming under the supervision of the
Bureau Of Emancipation are to have same
rights in courts as any citizens of the United
States; and any person of African descent
residing within any State or Territory of the
United States, (having been born in the
United States,) who can read and write the
English language on the LIST of January, 1885,
are hereafter declared citizens of the United
States.