Resolution in the Senate, May 12, and Remarks, June 28, 1862.
RESOLVED, That the Select Committee on the confiscation of Rebel property be directed to consider the expediency of providing, that, in all judicial proceedings to confiscate the property and free the slaves of Rebels, there shall be no exclusion of any witness on account of color.
This was objected to by Mr. Saulsbury, of Delaware, but on the next day it was agreed to.
The Select Committee failing to adopt this provision in the bill reported by them, entitled “A bill to suppress insurrection, punish treason and rebellion, and for other purposes,” Mr. Sumner sought to engraft it on the bill by motion in the Senate.
June 28th, Mr. Sumner moved the following amendment:—
“And in all proceedings under this Act there shall be no exclusion of any witness on account of color.”
Mr. Clark, of New Hampshire, Chairman of the Select Committee, said, that, “while they had no hostility to the general principle of the amendment, they thought it was better not to engraft it upon this bill.”
Mr. Sumner replied:—