SPEECH IN THE SENATE, ON THE JOINT RESOLUTION EXPLANATORY OF THE ACT
FOR CONFISCATION AND LIBERATION, JULY 16, 1862.
While the bill providing for Confiscation and Liberation was
in the hands of the President, and before its signature, it
was understood that he objected to it on certain grounds, one
of which was that under it real estate was forfeited beyond
life. In point of fact, the President had already drawn up a
Message stating his objections to its becoming a law.[104]
In anticipation of these objections, a joint resolution was
adopted, containing the provision, “Nor shall any punishment
or proceedings under said Act be so construed as to work a
forfeiture of the real estate of the offender beyond his
natural life.”[105]
Mr. Sumner did not sympathize with the objections, but, in
his anxiety to secure the approval of the Act as a step
to Emancipation, he did not hesitate to support the joint
resolution.