Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-12-18
Special Dispatch to the N. Y. Tcrd.
The Emancipation PrOclama tion.- letter from Gen,
Ice 10 Gen. HaIleek.

Special Dispatch to the N. 7. Word.
The Emancipation OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES from Gen.
Lee 10 Gen. HaIleek.
WASHINGTON, Nov 81.
report is current here, and very generally believed
that Gen Lee of the rebel army, has recently addressed
formal communication to Gen. HaIeck, touching the
proposed issue OF an emancipation proclamation the
first Of January next 1t will be remembered that, a.
ter the exciting debates in the rebel Congress the
prOprietY of retaliation the whole matter left
the discretion the President of the Confederate States
with instructions to take such measures would com.
pei the Withdraw Il of the proclamation, bring be
the northern troops of the evils it threatens
against the Southern people. It is stated that Gen
es letter is exceedingly elaborate and discusses tht
q eston from every point of view. The points it is
said to contain are az follows:
First, the understandable nature of the proclamation
so far ss the recognized OF mi itary warfare
concerned The TACT is pointed out that 10 work
on military law is the instlgatiOn Of serVlle
commended iDdOrsed or even mentioned; that, Gen
alec himself, thought OF it in discussing th
various that might be used by belligerent
mes lie threat OF servile and nsurrectiOn is clear
~ not military procedure that being outside Of mill
ary Law, the bern people Justified in regarding
it as coming under the brutal aud savage expedens of
barbsrous people, aud resenting it such that the
enemy that will use it does act unjusthabe as
the poisoning of wells Of food the manning and muir
deriDg OF prisoners, and the Outrages Of women. On
this ground it is demanded that the proclamation be
Withdrawn.
Second 1t is further urged by Gen. Lee that 10 case
the proclamation is not withdrawn, the Confederate
military authorities sorey against their will, but strong
in the justice OF their position will be compelled to
taliae in the sternest upon all the Unon pris
oners that fall into their hands 1t is not specified
what punishment will be inflicted, but it is distinctly
intimated that it, through the instigaton Of the Fed
era troops, any women or children murdered by IN
urated negroes, equal number of Union troops viii
be promptly put to death. On this matter the Conede
rate government wishes the Federal government to
derstand that it is very much in earnest, and will dc
even than it threatens.
Accompanying this document, and addressed to 9th
members of the government, it is stated that letter
from high member of the Confederate Government il
now 10 Washington for members of the Cabinet, argu
ing the question to the propriety of resembling th'
Objectionable proclamation. 10 addition to the militia
~ arguments urged by General Lee, argument dawr
from the recent elections 10 the North is made
by the Confederate statesmen. II the Union shall b.
restored this document urges, it will be better not t.
have this gulf of blood between the North and South
and, even should the South succeed in their efforts
there would be fewer unpleasant memories to ranke.
Notwithstanding these communications, 1t is still as
serted here that Mr. Lincoln is determined to adhere
the proclamation, and to carry out the radical pro
i gramme to the bitter end.