Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-08-24
cletary Cameron to Gen But
ler.

W AoHlNploNj huSuoo 49, lOoh'
GENERAL The important question of
the proper disposition to be made of fugi-
tivcs from service in the States in insur-
rcction against the Federal Government,
to which you have again directed my at
tcntion in the letter of July Goth, has re-
ccived my most attentive consideration
1t is the desire Of the President that all
existing rights in all the States be fully
respected and maintained, The war now
prosecuted on the part of the federal gov
crnmcnt is war for the Union, for the
preservation Of all constitutional rights Of
States, and the citizens of the States in the
Union. Hence no question can arise as to
fugiliyes from service within the States
and Territories in which the authority of
the Union is fully acknowledged. The
ordinary form of the judicial proceedings
must be respected by military and civil
authorities alike for the enforcement of le-
gal forms. But in the States wholly or in
part under insurrcctionary control, where
the laws of the United States are so far
opposed and resisted that they can not be
etfcctually enforced, it is obvious that the
rights dependent upon the execution of
those laws must temporarily fail, md it
is equally obvious that the rights depend
cnt on the laws of the State within which
military operations are conducted must be
necessarily subordinate to the military ex-
igcncies created by the insurrection if not
wholly forfeited by the REASONABLE conduct
OF parties claiming them. 10 this the
general rule of right to services forms an
exception. The act of Congress, approved
April 6, 1861, declares that if persons
held to service shall be employed in hos
tility to the United States, the right to
their services be forfeited, and such per-
sons shall be discharged therefrom. 1t
follows, of necessity, that no claim can be
recognized by the military authority of
the Union for the services of such persons
when fugitives.
A more difficult question is presented in
respect to persons escaping from the serv-
ice of loyal masters. 1t is quite apparent
that the laws Of the State under which on
ly the service OF such fugitives can be
claimed, must needs be wholly, or almost
wholly, suspended. As to the remedies
by the insurrection and the military mea-
sures neccssitated by it, it is equally appa.
rent that the substitution of military for ju,
dcial measures for the enforcement of such
claims must be attended by great inconve-
niences, embarrassments and inquiries
Under these circumstances it seems quite
clear that the substantial rights of local
masters arc still best protected by receiv-
ing such tugitives, as well as fugtives from
disioyal masters, into the service of the
United States, and employing them under
such organizations and such occupations
as circumstances may suggest or require.
VI course record should be kept show
ing name and description of the fugitiyis;
the name and the character, as loyal or
disloyal, of the master, and such facts as
may be necessary to correct understanding
OF the circumstances of each case, after
tranquility shall have been restored Up.
on the return ofpeaco Congress will, doubt
less, properly provided for all the persons
} it has received into the service of the IT,
Mon, and for just compensation to loyal
: masters. In this way only, it would seem ,
, can the duty and safety OF the government
and the just rights of all be fully recon.
0 ciled and harmonized.
T. You will, therefore, consider yourself
instructed to govern your future action in
!, respect to fugitives from service by the
It premises herein stated, and will report
c from time to time, and at least twice in
o each month, your action in the premises
to this department You will, however,