The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-04-25
LAWS OF MARYLAND.
LAWS OF MARYLAND.
Public General.
lorFicIAI-l
. IA RIII

land aud emanclpated by the Consti.
tuition, adopted in the year eighteen
hundred and sixty-four, and by whom
such persons we're so held.
Whereas, By joint resolution ap-
proved April 10th, 1862, Congress re.
solved that the United States ought 10
cooperate with any State which may
adopt gradual abolishmcnt of slavery.
giving to such State pecuniary aid. 10
be used by such State in its discretion,
to compensate for the inconvenience
public and private, produced by such
change Of system.
And whereas, by the Oath section of
the Act of Congress, approved on the
9th February, 1864, provision was
made for enrolling all able bodied male
colored persons residing in the United
States as part of the national forces and
for awarding to each loyal person to
whom colored volunteer might owe
service, just compensation not exceed.
ing three hundred dollars for each col.
ored volunteer, and under said provi-
slons aud previous thereto, under the
military authority Of the United States.
large number Of slaves owing service
to loyal citizens of Maryland, were in.
duced to leave their owners aud enlist
10 the milit ry service of the United
States, or were received on board OF
steamers under the command of the
said military, and carried away from the
service OF said owners by said military.
so that their service was totally lost 10
Their said owners, aud very few of the
said loyal owners have ever received
any compensation for slave volunteers
SO enlisted or for service So lost.
And whereas, by the 24th Article of
the Declaration Of Rights of the Consti.
tuition oil this State, which went into
full operation on the first day of No.
yember, in the year 1864, "all persons
held to service or labor as slaves in this
State were thereby declared to be free. y
Aud whereas, no compensation Tor
the Inconvenience, public and private,
produced by such changes OF system
has been made, by giving to this State
peouniary aid according to the faith of
the Federal Government solemnly
pledged by the joint resolutions afore-
said"
And whereas, the General Assembly
of Maryland by joint resolutions passed
at this present session, has resolved
IT at the State Of Maryland has a good,
valid and just claim upon the Govern.
ment of the United States for reas,,na.
bic and adequate compensation for the
said property, aud that it ought not TO
be doubted that the Federal Govern.
ment when the passions excited by the
late unhappy civil war shall have subsi.
ded, will recognize the justice OF the
said claims aud faithfully perform her
manifest duty in regard to it," And
further, shat the General Assembly
ought to provide by law for taking and
perpetuating the evidence OF the mum.
Der and value of the persons held to
labor aud service as aforesaid, By the
loyal citizens of Maryland, nd 50 aiore
said, discharged from such service and
! labor" Therefore,
Sec!;.vu i. Be it enacted BIZ tho Gen.
eral Assembly Of Maryland, That the
Governor, by and with the alyice and
Aud any vacancy occurring By the
death resignation or other cause Of any
OF the Commissioners 30 appointed at
ter the adjournment of the Legislature.
shall be filed by the Governor of the
| State,
Sec, 2 And be it enacted, That the
consent OF the Senate, aud previous to
the adjournment of the present session,
shall appoint one person of suitable
character and ability, resident in each
county Of the State, aud one in Balti.
more city, who shall be styled Con.
missioner Of Slave Statistics" and who
before entering upon the discharge oil
his duties, hereinafter described shall
give bond in the sum of five thousand
dollars, to be approved by the Clerk O,
the Circuit Court in each county, aud
Of the Superior Court of Baltimore CITY
respectively, for the faithful pcrfor.
nance Of his duties as such Commits.
siouer, and subscribe 10 the following
oath before the said Comptroller, viz
l--- do solemnly swear or affirm
that / will f.i,hfully and impartially
discharge the duties of Commissioner
Of Slave Statistics to the best Of nv
Judgment and ability, according to ths
lows Of Maryland. 50 help me God.
Commissioners so appointed shall pro
cure suitable printed blank forms o,
tabular statements, w ieh, when prop
erly filed up or made according to tn,
provisions Of this act, shall exhibit I'll,
names Of the former owners of slaves Ia
their respective counties or districts al
the time ofthe adoption Of the Constitu
ton in the year 1864; the names, mum
Der, age, sex, and physical condition o.
such slaves; whether they were slaves
for life or for term of years, and how
many years; whether they have beeu
enlisted or drafted iuto the nilitar,
service of the United States, so far Al
is known 10 said owners or oshers, and
into what regiments thcy were placed
and what compensation, if any, has beer
received from the State or Genera
Government by such owner or owner
for such Slaves so enlisted or drafted
into the military service Of the Unite,
4 n