Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-08-14

y
field, Missouri but an attack was hourly ex-
pected, as the rebels are within IL miles of
that place
Prince Napoleon feft Washington on Mon
day for New York. His visit to Manassas has
provoked great deal of comment.
The following letter was despatched on the
llth to General Butterfly the Secretary of
War, regarding the sscontrabands 20
WASHINGTON August s, 1861.
GENERAL The important question of the
proper disposition to be made of fugitives from
service IN States in insurrectiOn against the
Federal Government, to which you have again
directed my attention in your letter of July
Both, has received my most attentive considera-
ton.
1t is the desire of the President that all ex-
listing rights in all the States be fully respected
aud maintained. The war now prosecuted on
the part of the Federal Government is war
for the Union, and for the preservation of all
the Constitutional rights of States and the
citizens of the States in the Union. Hence
no question can arise as to fugitives from SER
vice within the States and Territories in which
the authority OF the Union is fully acknowl-
edged.
The ordinary forms of judicial proceedings,
which must be respected by military and civil
authorities alike, will suffice for the enforce
ment OF legal claims. But in States wholly or
IL.
the laws of the United States are so far oppos-
ed and resisted that they cannot be effectually
enforced, it is obvious that the rights depen-
dent on the execution of those laws must tenn
porarly fail, and it is equally obvious that
the rights dependent on the laws of the States
within which military operations are conduct
ed, must be necessarily subordinate to the
military eXigences created by the insurrec-
ton, if not wholly forfeited by the treasona-
ble conduct of the parties owning them.
To this general rule, the rights to services
can form no exception. The act of Congress
approved August 9th, 1861, declares that if
persons held to service shall be employed i'm
hostility to the United States, the rights to
their services shall be forfeited, and such per-
persons shall be discharged therefrom. 1t
follows OF necessity that no claim can be re-
cognized by the emiltarY~authorities of the u
non to the services of such persons when fu-
gtiyes.
A more difficult question is presented in re-
spect to persons escaping from the service of
loyal masters. 1t is quite apparent that the
laws of the State under which only the services
of such fugitives can be claimed, must needs
be wholly, suspended to remedies by the
insurrecton and the military measures nesess-
itated by it, and it is equally apparent that
the substitution of military for judicial meas
ures, for the enforcement of such claims. must
be attended by great inconvenences, embar-
easements and injuries.
Under these circumstances, it seems quite
clear that the substantial rights of loyal mas
ters will be best protected by receiving such
fugitives, as well as fugitives from disloyal
masters, into the service of the United States,
and employing them under such organiza-
tiOnS and in such occupations as circumstan-
ces may suggest or require. OF course rec
ord should be kept, showing the name and de-
scrption of the fugitives, the name and the
character Gas loyal or disloyai) of the master
and such facts as may be necessary TO a cor
rect understanding of the circumstances of
each case. After tranquility shall have been
restored upon the return of peace, Congress
will doubtless properly provide for all the
persons thus received into the service of the
Union, and for just compensation to the 10y
al masters. In this way only, it would seem,
can the duty and safety of the Government,
and the just rights of all, be fully r.conciled
and harmOnized.
You will, therefore, consider yourself in
Structed to govern your future action in res
pect to fugitives from service, by the princi-
Piles herein stated, and will report from time
to time, and at least twice in each month,
your action in the premises to this department.
You will, however, neither authorize nor
permit any interference by the troops under
your command with the servants of peaceful
citizens in the house or field; nor will you in
any way encourage such servants to leave the
lawful service of their masters; nor will you,
except in cases where the public safety may
seem to require it, prevent the voluntary re-
turn OF any fugitive TO the service which he
may have escaped.
am, General, very respectfully, our obe-
dient servant, SIMON CAMERON, Sec. War.