Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-06-04
Gen. Rutler and Futfgive slaves.

Soon after the Massachusetts, General,
BUTLER, made his advent into Maryland, he
arrested a couple of slaves who visited his
camp, and returned them 10 the owner.
Shortly afterwards, he professed to have
heard that there was danger Of a seryile in
surrection in the State, and profered the aid
of his army to Gov. Hicks to suppress it.
The apOlogists and allies of the Lincoln ad-
ministration, Immediately seized upon these
acts Of Gen. BUTLER as proofs of the unfound-
ed character of the apprehensions of South
ern men that their slaves would be encour-
aged to take advantage of the war and either
abscond, or turn upon their masters and muir
der them. Gen. BUTLER became bright and
shining light in the Lincoln military constel-
lation-his effulgence promised to eclipse
that of all others. He had set brilliant ex-
ample. which would be emulated, and the
war, instead of afOrding slaves an Opportu-
nifty to escape, would furnish owners with an
armed police to restain and keep them home
at work.
But Gen. BUTLER has been promoted to a
new theatre for the exhibition of the snowy
tinsel of his military qualities, and the readi-
ness with which he can adapt himself to the
circumstances around him. A large num-
Der of slaves seek refuge in his camp at
Fortress Monroe. Their Virginia masters,
having heard of his apparently frank and
honorable course in Maryland, apply to him
for their return. Does he give them up! Oh,
no. The slave, in Maryland piece of pro-
perty in the use of which the owner is enti-
tied to protection. becomes, in Virginia, in
the opinion of the astute General, contra
band of war;" to be retained for the benefit of
the army of the invader. This change of
opinion is posted to Washington by special
messenger, who returns with the following
letter of instruction, from the Federal au-
thorities:
"WAsHINGToN, May 80, 1861.
HSIR: Your action in respect to the negroes
who came within your lines, from the service
of the rebels, is approved. The Department
is sensible of the embarrassments, which must
surround officers conducting military opera
tions in State, by the laws of which Slave
ry is sanctioned. The Government cannot
recognize the rejection by any State of its
Federal obligation, resting upon itself, among
these Federal obligations, however, no one
can be more important than that of suppress
sing and dispensing any combination of the
former for the purpose of overthrowlng its
whole Constitutional authority. While,
therefore, you will permit no interference,
by persons under your command, with the
relations of persons held to service under the
laws of any State, you will, On the other
hand, so long as any State within which your
military operations are conducted. remain
under the control of such armed combina-
tions, refrain from surrendering to alleged
masters any persons who come within your
lines. You will employ such persons in the
services to which they will be best adapted,
keeping an account of the labor by them per-
formed, of the value of it, and the expenses
of their maintenance. The question of their
final disposition will be reserved for future
"SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.
ITO Major-General BUTLER"
So, for the remainder of the war, fugitive
slaves are not to be surrendered. We hope
the apologists of the Federal Government
will cease hereafter their concentrations OF
the course of Gen. BUTLER, and not refer to
it as evidence of the intention of the admin
to do justice to slave owners.