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403] The Maryland Constitution of 1864. 57
With the object of making as certain as possible any
prospect of the desired governmental aid, the minority
finally succeeded in having passed near the close of the
Convention a resolution appointing a committee of seven
to visit Washington and request of the President that he
recommend to Congress an appropriation for the former
slave-owners of Maryland.76 The committee was duly ap-
pointed but the compensation was never received. It
should be mentioned that the majority somewhat lessened
any feelings of elation which the so-called "Rebel" slave-
owners might feel at the prospect of receiving "Green-
backs" from the Government, by providing that the latter
should first take the oath of allegiance before receiving
any such sums.77
However, the minority were not at all satisfied with this
small gain, but continued to use every expedient to per-
petuate at least a small part of the former slave-owners'
rights. With this object in view they heartily supported
the project of the apprenticeship, particularly to their
former owners, of negro minors. This subject was, for-
tunately for them, brought forward by a member of the
majority. Mr. Todd of Caroline, with several others of
his party, favored such a step, though the larger part of
them had been pledged against it as one of the campaign
issues,78 and opposed it as being either unnecessary under
the existing state law for apprenticeship, or else a "con-
cession to the slave power" which practically postponed
the emancipation of minor slaves till they became of age.79
The minority on the other hand held that apprenticeship
would be only a merciful provision for many helpless chil-
dren, and a small measure of justice to the former owners
in giving some return for the previous support of minors
during their infancy. Mr. Negley and Mr. Purnell were
two of the Union members who held these views.80 The
76 Proc., 713-5. 77 Proc., 719, 771-2. 78 See page 32.
79 Deb., iii, 1577, et seq. 80 Deb., iii, 1583, 1591-2.
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