The Second Confiscation Act

In July of 1862, Congress passed into law The Second Confiscation Act. It paved the way for the Emancipation Proclimation, by declaring that Confederates who did not surrender within 60 days were to be punished by having their slaves freed. Today, as with the Emancipation Proclimation, I am posting the Act in a pristine state. Later in the week I will give my impressions and comments. Coming next week, I'll examine "The Prayer of Twenty Millions", the open letter to Mr. Lincoln published by Horace Greeley. I will also examine Mr. Lincoln's reply, which may surprise you.