- Event type: CREATE_FROM
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Session 11996: 1862-04-16 12:00:00
The Senate receives a message from the President on S. 108
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Message on the Approval of S. 108
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives:
The act entitled “An act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia,” has this day been approved and signed.
I have never doubted the constitutional authority of Congress to abolish slavery in this District; and I have ever desired to see the national capital freed from the institution in some satisfactory way. Hence there has never been in my mind any question upon the subject except the one of expediency, arising in view of all the circumstances. If there be matters within and about this act which might have taken a course or shape more satisfactory to my judgment, I do not attempt to specify them. I am gratified that the two principles of compensation and colonization are both recognized and practically applied in the act.
In the matter of compensation, it is provided that the claims may be presented within ninety days from the passage of the act, “but not thereafter;” and there is no saving for minors, femmes overt, insane, or absent persons. I presume this is an omission by mere oversight, and I recommend that it be supplied by an amendatory or supplemental act.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
April 16, 1862.
Decisions yet to be taken
Document Timeline
- Message on the Approval of S. 108 (introduced on 1862-04-16 12:00:00 - CREATE_FROM - e896663) [This document]
[view current proposal at this moment]
- None (introduced on 1862-04-16 12:00:00 - DEBATE_PROPOSAL - e896665) [view current proposal at this moment]
- None (introduced on 1862-04-16 12:00:00 - ADOPT_PROPOSAL - e896664) [view current proposal at this moment]