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.