The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-07-31

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acknowledgement that the ancient Union has
been dissolved. They recognize the separate
existence OF these Confederate States, by in
terdiction, embargo, and the blockade OF all
commerce between them and the United
States, not only By sea, but by land-not
only in ships, but in cars-nat only with
those who bear arms, but with the entire
population OF the Confederate States.
Finally, they have repudiated the foolish
conceit that the inhabitants of this Cunfeder.
acy are still citizens Of the United States, for
they are wagIng an indiscriminate war upon
them all, withsa savage ferocity unknown TO
modern civilization. In this war, rapine is
the rule, and private residences, in peaceful
and rural retreats, are bomharded and burnt
grain crops inthe field are consumed BY the
torch; and when the torch is not convenient,
careful labor is bestowed to render complete
the destruction OF every article Of use or or
nament remaining in private dwellings after
their Inhabitants have fled from the outrages
OF the brutal soidiery. In 1881, Great Brit
ain, when invading her revolted Colonies,
took possession of every district of country
near Fortress Monroe. now occupied by the
troops Of the United States. The houses
then inhabited by the people, after being re-
spected and protected by avowed invaders,
are now piilaged and DESTROYED BY men who
pretend that the victims are their felow.cit-
liens. Mankind will shudder TO hear the
tales Of outrages committed on defenceless
females by the soldiers Of the United States,
now invading our homes; yet these outrages
are prompted by infamed passions and the
madness Of intoxication. But who shall depict
the horror with which they willregard the cool
and deliberate malignty with which, under
the pretext Of suppressing Instruction, said
by themselves to he upheld by minority
only of our people, make especial war on the
sick, including women and children, and, BY
carefully devised measures, prevent their
obtaining the medicines necessary for their
cure. The sacred claims of'humanity, re-
spected during the fury Of actual battle, by
careful diversion of attack from the hospi.
tails confirming wouaded enemies, are out
ragged in cold blood by Government and
people that pretend 10 desire continuance
Of fraternal connections. All these outrages
must remain unavenged, save BY universal
reprobation of mankind, in all cases where
the actual perpetrators OF the wrongs escape
capture. They admit Of no retaliation the
humanity Of our people would shrink instinc
lively from the bare idea Of waging like
war upon the sick, the women and the chill
dren Of an enemy. But there are other savage
practices which have been resorfed to by the
Government Of the United States, which do
admit Of repression BY retaliation. | have
been grieyed at the necessity Of enforcing
this repression. The prisoners OF war taken
BY the enemy on board the armed schooner
Savannah, sailing under our commission,
we're, as ! was credibly advised, treated like
common felons, put in irons, confined in a
jail usually appropriated TO criminals Of The
worst dye, and threatened with punishment
as such. | had made application for an ex-
change OF these prisoners to the commanding
fhcer of the enemy's squadron of Charles
ton. but that officer had already sent the
prisoners TO New York when the application
was made. /. therefore, deemed il nv duty
to renew the proposal for an exchange to the
constitutional Commander-in-chiet Of the
Army and Navy Of the United States, the
only officer having control OF the prisoners.
To this end dispatched an officer TO him
under flag Of truce and in making the pro-
posal, | informed President Liucoln Of my
resolute purpose to check all barbarities on
PAf1ehGA1 W Val w 1l@u oCNNtNtl 0Hu
alton on prisoners held by Us as should secure
the abandonment Of the practice.
This communication was received and read
by the officer in command of the United
States Army, and message was brought
from him by the bearer Of my communica,
ton, TO the effect thar reply would be re.
turned BY President Lincoln as soon as pos
sibIe. | earnestly hope that this promised
reply, which has not yet been received. will
convey che assurance that prisoners Of war
will be treated. in this unhappy contest, with
that regard 70 humanity which has been so
conspicuous in modern warfare. As a meas
ure OF preeaatlon, however, and until the
promised reply IS received, still retain in
close custody the men and officers captured
from the enemy, whom il had been nv pleas
ure previously to enlarge on parole, and
whose fate must necessarily depend on that
Of The prisoners held by the enemy. lap
pend copy Of NV communication TO the
President and Commander in-ehef Of the
Army and Navy Of Ihe United States, and Of
the report 81 the officer charged TO deliver
IL, marked Document A.
There are some other passages 10 the re-
markable paper to which have directed your
attShNVHi hdfAnS leltItuSc W tut pteVHdIf e-
latIOns which EXIST between this Government,
and the States usually termed the border
slave States, which cannot properly be with.
held from notice.
The hearts of our people are animated b,
sentiments towards the inhabitants of thosI
States, which found expression 10 your enact
ment refusing % consider them a. enemies.
or TO authorize hostilities against them. That
very large portion Of the people Of those
State regard as as brethren; that IL unre.
strained BY the actual presence Of large ar
MES, the sgbYersion Of civil aBthoriy and
the declaration 81 martial Law, some vi them
a least would joylully unite with "; that
they are with almost entire uuanitnIty OPP
posed 70 the prosecution u The war wsged
against Us, are facts Of which daily recurring
events fully warrant the assertton