Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-08-16
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Set every thrcadbtrC sail
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IMPORTANT LETTER FROM THE SEC
RETARY Ole WAR TO GEN. BUTLER.
FUGtrIvEs TO M EMPLOYED IL THE UNITED
STATES SERVICE.

STATES NthNlNL
WAsuINGroN, Aug. H.
The following letter has just been Dispatch
ed to General Butler by the Secretary Of War 1:
WAsHGNGToN, Aug, 1861.
General The important question of the
proper disposition to be made Of fugitives
from service in the States in instruction a.
gainst the Federal Government, to which you
have again directed my attention. in your let
ter Of July 20, has received my most atten-
tive consideration. II is the desire Of the
President that all existing rights in all the
States be fully respected and maintained. The
war now prosecuted on the part of the FEEDER
al Government is a war Cor the Union, for the
preservation Of all the Constitutional rights OF
the States and the citizens Of the States in the
Union, hence no question eau arise as to flu
gitives from service within the States and Ter
rtories in which the authority of the Ution
is fully acknowledged. The ordinary forms
of judicial proceedings must be respected by
tie military and civil authorities alike for the
enforcement Of legal forms. But in the States
wholly or in part under insurrcctionary con-
troll. where the laws of the United States are
40 far opposed that they cannot be effectively
enforced, it is obvious that the rights depen-
dent upon the execution Of these laws must
temporarily fail, and it is equally obvious that
the rights dependent on the laws OF the States
within which military operations are conduc-
ted must necessarily be subordinate to the
military exigcncies created by the insurrec-
ton, if not wholly forfeited by the treasona-
bic conduct Of the parties claiming them. To
this the general rule Of the right to service
forms an exception. The act of Congress APP
proved Aug. 6, 1861, declares that if persons
held to service shall be employed in hostility
to the United States the right to their services
shall be discharged thereirOm. 1t follows of
necessity that no claim can be recognized by
the military authority Of the Union to the
services Of such persons when fugitves.
A more difficult question is presented in
respect 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 or almost wholly superseded.
as to the remedies, by the instruction and
the military measures necessitated by it; and
it is equally apparent that the substitution Of
military for judicial measures for the enforce
meut Of such claims must be attended by
great il convenicnce, ADVERTISEMENTS and IN
iuries. Under these circumstances, 1t seems
quite clear that the substantial rights Of loyal
masters are still best protected by receiving
snch fugitivcs, as well as fngitives from dis
loyal masters, into the service of the United
States and employing them under such organ
izations and in such occupations as circum-
stances may suggest or require. OF course a
record should be kept showing the names and
descriptions Of the fugitives, the names and
characters. as loyal or disloyal, ofihe masters,
and such facts as may be necessary to cor
rect understanding Of tho circumstances of
each case.
After tranquility shall have been restored
upon the return of peace, Congress will doubt
less properly provide for all the persons thus
received into the service Of the Union aud for
a Just compensation to loyal masters. In this
wov only Il would seem can the duty and
safety of the Government and just rights OF
all be fully reconcled and harmonized. You
will therefore consider yourself instructed to
govern your future action in respect to fugl-
tives from service by the premises herein sta
ted. and will report from time to time, and al
least twice in each month your action in the
premises to this Department. You will how
ever. neither authorize nor permit any inter
ference by the troops under your command
with the servants of peaccable citizens in the
house or field, nor will you in any manner
encourage such citizens to leave the Lawful
service Of their masters, nor will you. except
in cases where the public good may seem t1
require it. prevent the voluntary return of any
fugitive to the service from which he ma!
have escaped.
am, very respectfully. your obedient serv
ant, SIMON CAMERON.
Secretary Of War.
To Major General Butler, commanding De
partment of Virginia, Fortress Monroe.