The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-05

ton to the Slave subject, as given in the
Northern papers 1t now appears that al
though the passage was 10 the original re
port, it was subsequently erased, and the
: following substituted in it's stead:--
"lt is already grave question what shall
be done by the slaves who are abandoned by
their owners on the advance of our troops
into Southern territory, as at Beaufort dis
trict, in South Carolina. The number left
within our control at that point is very con.
; siderable, and similar cases will probably
occur. What shall be done with them p
Can we afford to send them forward to their
masters, to be by them armed against US. or
used in introducing supplies to maintain the
rebellion Their labor may be useful to US;
withheld from the enemy, it lessons his mill
tary RESOURCES, and Withholding them has
no tendency to induce the horrors of nsur-
rection even ia the rebel communities
They constitute military resource, and, be-
Ing such. that they should not be turned
over to the enemy is too plain to discuss
Why deprive him of supplies by blockade,
and voluntarily give him men to produce
supplies? The disposition to be male of the
slaves Of rebels after the close of the war
can be safely left t., the wisdom and patriot.
ism of Congress. The representatives of
the people will. unquestionahIy. secure to
the loyal Shareholders every right to which
they are entitled under the consti ution of
the country"
According to the New York Tribune the
erasure and substitution were by express d.
rection of the President-though we Oh.
serve, in other quarters it is affirmed that the
Secretary himself made the alteration desir-
ed BY the President. The Tribune further
makes the following statement, the correct
ness Of which, the public will, no doubt, be
farther informed - a..ai Wis Isl. g..
Ca Sunday night, the President, having
found time to read it, found it not in his
heart to agree with the Secretary's doctrine
OF the right and the duty to make military
use of the slaves of Confederates-to arm |
them. if necessary--and in all ways to use
them as we would any other propertyof the
Confederates to suppress this rebellion. He
sent for; Mr.. Cameron, and required him to
suppress this whole portion of his report on /
the ground that its recommendation was pre-
mature and ill-timed. The Secretary prompt
ly and resolutely refused to- suppress word
OF it. The discussion between them was
protracted. It ended as it began, the Presi.
dent insisting upon the alteration, and the
Secretary respectfully but firmly refusing to
change a syllable Of his reco nme dations.
A subsequent interview in the afternoon
had similar conclusion of debate, but a
new and strange conclusion of Executive
will. The Pre-, ident announced his purpose
to strike out the entire passage about the
and arming of the slaves be-
fore sending in the report with his Message
TO Congress. Mr.. Cameron declared he
should not recall or suppress. the document ,
IN the hands OF Northern and Western edi-
ors, and that the printers were at liberty to
10 with his report what they pleased"
A"o i"eooC "ooouutS VI Tile progress OF the
second famine in Ireand-caused by the pota- {
% rot, short crops of cereals and general t
want of employment--are gloomy enough !
In the provinces of Connaught, Munster and
Leinster the field of potatoes, it is stated will
lot come up to one-half the usual supply. .
In Baltimore, on Monday, Messrs Haver. {
ham and johnson, connected with the u. S.
Navy, about two years ago, were arrested at
3arnum's Hotel, by squad of soldiers. and s
ent to Fortress McHenry. Nine of the pri- !
oners at McIIenry were transferred to War.
en-. The residence of W. r. Howard was +
earched for a Japanese sword stolen from {
he Jadanese embassy, when they were in /
Baltimore, but no such sword was found. a
he searchers seized two guns, flag, and
he regimental roll of the former MARYLAND r
iuard battalion.
The Washington Star says that the revision n
the report of Secretary Cameron wa.
'ade by himself. n