The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-12
THE SEAT OF WAR IN THE WEST.
Graphic Description Of the Fight
at Dug Spring,
&C., &C., lie.
OuR SPECIAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.


WASHINGTON, August IL, 1851.
INFORMANT LETTER FROM SECRETARY CAMERON TO
GENERAL BUTLER
The following letter has just been despatched to Gen
Butler by the Secretary of War
WAsHryGTog. August - 1861
GESERArThe important question of tho proper dspo.
sition TO be made Of ugves from service the States
IN instruction against the federal government which
you have again directed my attention in your letter Of
July 90 has received my attentive consideration II
Is The desi.o Of the President that all existing rights all
the States be fully respected and maintained The war
s now Prosecuted ca the part Of The federal
preservation Of al copstVti2na rights of States and
tho citizens OF the States IN the Union Hence qnes
zion can arise as TO fugitives from service within the
States and Territories in which the authority of the
Union is fully acknowledged. Tho ordinary form Of
apS cr aStSsres ar I o 03 Tho e o a
ferns But In the States wholly in part under nsur
recionary control, where the laws Of tho United States
are 50 far opposed and resisted that They cannot be eff
fectualy enforced 1t is obvious tbs. the rights de-
pendent upon the execution Of those laws must tenn
porariiy fail, and 1t is equally obvious that the
rights dependent the laws orthc State within whichlni
Iary operations conducted must be necessarily subor
climate the military exigence created by the instruction
not wholly forfeited by the reasonable conduct Of par
ties claiming Them To this the general rule Of right to
services forms an exception Tbe act Of Congress, APP
proved August @, 1861 declares that If persons held to
service shall be employed osty tohe United States,
the right to their services shall be forfeited, and such
persons shall be discharged thercfrom 1t follows, Of
necessity that no claim be recognized by the mill
tary authority Of the Union for the services Of such per-
more diacut question is presented in respect to per
scns escaping from the service Of loyal masters II
quite apparent that the laws OF tie State under whichopy
the service OF such lugyes can be claimed, must needs
be wholly or almost wholly suspended As TO the RENE
oles ~ ,he ,u" INC mls,y measures heces
sitated by it. it Is equally apparent that the subsu
ton OF military for Judicial measures for the enforcement
OF sach claims must be attended by great nconvenences
eTDerrassments and Inquiries. Under these Cir
cuns'auces IL seems quite clear that the
substantial rights Of local masters still best protected
by receiving such fugtves, well fugyes from dis
loyal masters into the service Of the United States and
employing them under such organ zatons and such
pnticua as circumstances may suggest require. Or
course record should be kept showing name and de.
Ecrpton of the fugves the name and the character,
Ioya or disoya Of the master and such facts as NAV be
necessary correct understanding OF the circumstances
of each case, after tranquility shall have been
restored Upon the return of peace Congress
persons has received into the service OF the Union and
for just compensation TO loyal masters. In this way
only II would the duty and safety OF the gov
enment and the just rights of all be fully reconcled and
harmonized.
yoa will therefore, consider yourself instructed to gov
your future action in respect to fugtves from service
by the premises herein stated aud wall report from time
time and al least tnco in each month your action
tL3 premises to this department. You will, however,
no,,her authorize nor permit any interference by the
tr.ops under Your command with the servants
OF peaceful czcns in house field will you in any
way encourage such servants to leave the lawful
of her masters nor viii you except in eases where the
public good may seem to require IT, prevent the voluntary
return Of any ugyes to the service from which he ay
have escaped az, very respeCtuly your oeedet
10 MAJOR General BUTLER, commanding Department Of
Tirginia, Fortress Monroe.
TIE VISIT OF MRS. LINCOLN TO LONG BEANCH.
Tho visit of Mrs Lincoln to the North postponed I'M
Oil Wednesday The beau monde at Long Branch will
haze to restrain while longer their mpatonce to shine
in the atmosphere Of the republican court
DEPARTURE OF PRINCE NAPOLEON.
Prnce Napoleon took leave of the President yesterday
and returned direct to New York
THE IMPRISONMENT OF MEssgs MGRAw AHy HARRIS
AT RICHMOND.
When tbs train Was about leave Harpr's Ferry for
Baltimore yesterday letter addressed TO the of Mr.
McCraw who is a prisoner at Rlchmond was thrown
OF the by unknown person. It proved to
be open letter from him assuring her that he wei
cared for, but allowed to go out Of the place of
his confinement, except when attended by sentinel,
AMI that he had no expectation OF being re-
leased until the termination Of the war. There have
been various surfnses TO the OF the detention
of Messrs McGraw and Harris under the circumstances
as their sympathy with the rebels was notorious II Ia
supposed by some that the Imprisonment Of Mr. Harris
Is in punishment for his failure 10 fulfill contract he is
sd 10 have made furnish lot OF arms 10 the rebels
and for having accepted interest in Eat beef contract
with the federal government when compelled by cir
cumstances to abandon the for supply Ing arms 10
the rebels. The punishment should have fallen upon
thoee who in the name Of the federal government made
contract with notorious sympathzers with rebellion