Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-02-06
! am, sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM ii. SEWARD.
CHARLES FR-.N1Is ADAMS, Esq, &c, dc.
Bureau of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Howe, Bill.


The Washington Chronicle gives the follow
ing synopsis of a bill, introduced in the Sen
ate by Judge Howe of this State, for the
establishment of a Bureau Of Emancipation
1t provides:
l. For the appointment of commissioner,
who shall be under the direction of the See
rotary of the Treasury, and shall have au-
thority in all matters arising out of procama-
tions 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 $4,000 year, nor that of clerk s., 600.
The commissioner shall seize all lands, houses
and tenements, with appurtenances thereon,
lying 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 cOnfiscatiOn 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 schoOl-teaehers,
and establish productive armed Oecupan-
ces." provided that the proportion of such
occupants shall not be less than one hundred
loyal White male citizens to one thousand Ia
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 is as follows:
That any person claiming to have owned any
of the houses, tenements, lands liable 70 seizure
and confscation, or who may claim rights OF prop
erty in persons Of African descent, who shall youn
tarily surrender all such property and persons y
the control of the Bureau of Emancipation, anu
subscribe and take the required oath OF ALLEGIANCE
shall be deemed to have complied with the con
ditions Of the Presidents proclamation Of amne'Y
and pardon"
A descriptive list of owners, as Aforesaid
is to be made and kept in the State and war
Departments. Clerks are to be appoin'eIi
for this purpose. Tie commissioner shan
have power in respect 10 the leasing OF prep
erty, the disposition of freed persons, ami ti5
establishment of schools. The SecretaF! %
the Treasury shall appoint a receiver OF rev
enues arising from the management Of INC
property, who shall receive all moneys com
lily III iTOul tue management VI Salu PioF
Receivers salary, $4,000.
The Commissioner is authorized 70 receive
transport, locate, hire out to labor, and al-
prentice to trades any and all freed persons,
and provide them with food, clothing ana
shelter at the expense of the Government
and may have facilities of transportation 2!
the military when possible. Reports are u
be made to Congress annually. All ireeu
persons coming under the supervision oil Inc
Bureau of Emancipation are to have salig
rights in courts as any citizens of the Uni'eu
States; and any person of African descent
residing within any State or Territory OF tIle
United States, (having been born IN Iho
United States, who can read and write inc
English language on the LIST of January, 1889,
are hereafter declared citiz0ns of the Cmteu
States