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to the governor, was certainly made in reference to the Laws of some of the Northern States and is entirely inefficient as it regards our State; for the overseers of the Poor would in no case receive them, inasmuch as no provision was made for their Support, and the Act of Congress at it regards Negroes Seized by any other persons than the Naval officers merely requires that they shall be delivered over to the State Authority to be dealt with according to the provisions of the State Laws. But no persons would receive them because they could do nothing with them. No act of Congress so far as it regards the property was therefore Nugatory in our State.

The last Legislature however made some provision on this Subject, and the Governor is required to receive the property. My opinion therefore is, that the property in question having been brought into this State in violation of the Act of Congress must be delivered over to the Governor, altho before Seizure it had been carried beyond the Jurisdictional limits of the State. How far Congress will be disposed to Acquiesce in the provisions of the State Law is another question, and one which merits their Serious Consideration; for in effect the very evil is brought upon the Country which Congress was desirous of averting. I am Sir very respectfully your ob Srv.

(Signed) Willi'm Davis, Dist: Atty