“An Act for the Release of certain Persons held to Service or Labor in the District of Columbia”
Fellow Citizens of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
The act is called “an act for the release of certain persons held to service or labor in the District of Columbia”
has been approved and signed this day.
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 judgments, 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 claims may be presented within ninety days
from the passage of the act, “but not thereafter”, and there is no savings for minors, females covertly,
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.
Washington, April 16, 1862.
(Published text of emancipation decree in the District of Columbia from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Weekly)