Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-03-31
The MaDumiSSiOn Bill

We publish for the benefit of the ff-
teen Copperheads. who met in Conven-
ton in this city on Wednesday last, and
perpetrated few resolutions, which were
previously cotton up for electioneering
purposes, and which, as manchauscn eff
forts, arc hard to beat. 1t will be seen
the act contains no such provisions as
that alleged to have been engrafted into
it. What is most amusing on the part of
these patriots, is their desire that "harsh
cpithets should cease towards those who
choose to differ with the administration. y
No doubt the Chairman, Vice Presidents
and Secretaries, who signed these pro-
ccedings, had in view the "epithet" which
usually attaches to Misrepresentation. and
hence their plea against wearing a brand.
Entitled, an act TO repeal Sections torty-tro and
.torty-tiree Of article sirty-sir Of the Code q
Public General Lars, reidting TO nanumission,-
and 10 enact a substitute therefor, proriding .yor
the manumission Of sldpes. .'
Section ]. BE it enacted by The General As
,embly Of Maryland, That sections forty-two
and iorty-three Of article sixty-six Of the Code
of Public General Laws, entitled negroes, be
and the same are hereby repealed and that the
following sections be enacted Us a substitute
therefor. .- ..,r...t H.
Section 40 That any person or persons
possessed Of any slave or slaves within this
State, may by writing his her or their hand
and seal, evidenced by at least two good and
sufficient witnesses and acknowledged before u
Justice Of the Peace of the county where the
erantor resides, and recorded in the office Of
the Clerk Of the Circuit Court for said county,
within thirty days from the date OF said nstru-
ment, or by last will and testament executed TO
pass personal property and duly admitted 10
probate, grant TO such slave or slaves his, her
or their freedom, to take effect at the date Of
said instrument, or al such future time rs may
be limited by said instrument and that copy
Of such record duly attested under the seal of
such office where said deed or last will and tes-
lament may be recorded shall be good and suf-
iicient evidence to prove such freedom, aud all
n,anumissions made or attempted TO be made,
by deed or last will and testaments, siuce the
enactments Of said sections forty-two and forty
three, prohibiting manumissions, are hereby
ratified and made valid with the assent of the
parties interested, as if said prohibition had
existed.
Section AZ. That any executor, administra-
| tor or guardian may execute in the manner aud
form provided in the foregoing section, . deed
Of manumission to or for any slave or slaves
belonging TO and the property Of their deceased
| testator or ntestate or ward, in all cases where
such slave or slaves shall have been enlisted in
the military service of the United States, to
enable said executor, administrator or guardian
to recover compensation for such slave or
slaves and all decds of manuinission 40 oxe-
cutcd shall be valid and eifectua to all inten,s
and purposes to confer freedom upon such slave
or slaves.
Section 2. And be Il snocted, That this act
shall take effect from the date of its passage
The above is true copy Of the Manu-
mission Bill. which first passed the House
or Delegates, and no other Manumission
Bill passed the House. except the above
bill. with the following proviso shut
that no slave manumittod, or hereafter to
be manumitted, shall be entitled to vote
at any election. or be capable of holding
any Office of profit or trust, on Of giving
evidence against any white person."
m. JNO. II. SHAW,
Reading Clerk, "a
House of Delegates
March %. 1864, ra .Ta.d. 20