The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1862-12-12

| charity which would reTlect the highest hon0r
up6n any people. Virginians have not been lag
gard of their means, but have opened their
hearts and their purses in generous acts. Such
conduct deserves the thanks OF the State and is
worthy of all emulation.
It is asked of the different States to provide
such laws .sas will enable the Governors to COM
mand slave labor to the extent which may be re-
CURED in the prosecution Of works conducive
to the public deience.;' The State Of Virginia
has already responded to this call, and the Leg
islature has passed an act ample for the purpose,
but regret to say that the counties heretofore
called on. with few honorable exceptions. have
not complied with the acquisitions as fully and
promptly as could have been desired. These
are proper laws. The slave population is large
one, nearly one-third Of the population Of the
whole State, not far from being one-half of the
population Of the loyal part of the State. The
slaves are exempted from serving in our armies,
they are freed from all military duty, and it is
but reasonable that q small portion Of their time
and labor should be devoted to the prosecution
of works conducive to the public defence. The
law is q liberal one to the owners. 1t allows
sixteen dollars per month as compensation for
the labor Of each Slave besides rations medicines
and medical attendance. 1t provides that 1.-the
value Of all such slaves as may escape from the
Confederate authorities and not returned to their
owners or be seized or killed by the public enc
my. or may. by want of due diligence on the
part of the authorities of the Confederate States
in any manner be lost to the owners,s hall be
paid for by the Confederate States, to the owners,
and in like manner allows compensation 'for
any injury to slaves arising from want of due
diligence on the part Of the authorities of the
Confederate States"
As our army is constituted, it is but right to
lessen the burdens they have to bear and to
cause the eaTthworks upon our fertilization to be
constructed by the laborers who are Injured to
such service. The County Courts are authorized
to apportion the slaves called for in their respec
tive counties, and they ought to make the appor-
tonment in such manner as to be least onerous
upon their fellow citizens, particularly as there
is no appeal from the decision they make. BY
careful exercise of this power, much hardship
may be arerted. IF the courts fail or refuse to
comply with the acquisitions. tie law invests the.
Executive with authority, by officers and agents
of his own selection. with the aid of the commits
sioners of the revenue, to impress the proportions
OF slaves demanded from the county, not exceed
ing five per centnn, Of the entire slave population
thereof. The performance Of this duty the Exc
cutive would gladly forego. greatly perfsrring
that the justices elected by the people, and who
know their situation and circumstances should
discharge it, but if the failure continues after
due notice, the duty viii be performed with I'M
shrinking fidelity, under the full belief that the
labor called for isnecessary, and that the prompt
completion Of the Notifications viii greatly con-
duce to tho public defence.
In addition to these several subjects deem it
to Be my duty to call the attention of the people
generally. but of the country and corporation
courts especially to the necessity that now exists
for increased vigilauee IN regard to domestic and
county police. Cur slaves have hitherto been
contentedand happy, peacoable and trustworthy, |
and I doubt not they viii continue so, notwith- |
standing the proclamation of the president Of
the United States and the shameful attempts of
abolition emissares and armies to render them
disconnected and insubordinate. But in times
like these it is proper to be ever watchfal ever
on the guard. | therefore reconnlands Earnestly |
that the several county and corporation courts
shall forthwith proceed to execute the provis-
ions of the State law relative to establishing
a patrol in each county and corporation to visit
within such bounds as The courts may require |
all negro quarters and others places suspected |
of having therein unlawful assemblies, or such |
slaves as may stroll from one plantation to ano-
Their without permission. Let every master |
keep q watchful guardianship over his planta-
ton and cause his slaves to keep within their
visites. IF tlecounty courts cannot |
assemble promptly, let each justice of the peace |
order out patrols, as the law authorizes him to
do, to continue in service until the next term of !
the country or corporation court
And finally, the President denounces. in ap- |
propriate terms, thevile spirit of extortion now
so rife in all portions Of the Confederacv, and |
urgently appeals to the Executives Of the States,
to urge upon their several Legislatures the ne
cessity of passing such laws as will e1ectually |
restrain and crush it. I earnestly invoke thep
triotic everywhere, to discountenance extortion |
and if patriotic appeals will not
induce them to change theirpolicy, ard abandon |
a course Of conduct calculated to prejudice our
holy cause, then urge them. to impress upon |
their Senators and Delegates in the General As |
seulh(y the necessity of adopting such legislation
rs will remedy the evil at the next session in ia
nuary.
We have smother struggle to make against orr |
foe. It may not be the last, but
let it be at least worthy of our ancestors. and |
ourselves. Let it be gallant fight in which we
shall put forth ali of manhood, of vigor and of i
courage that has been given us from Heaven.-
Let 1t be recorded in future time that Firginians
eInulated their glorious sires and fought with de-
termined GOODNESS and valor, leaving nothing I'M
aone that might have been done to ensure sue
cess.
~--> Given under my hand at Richmond,
e. and under the Seal Of the Common
| wealth, at Richmond this Sth day of I
~ December, 1868, and in the 87th year
Of the Commonwealth
JOHN LETCHER.
By the Governor
Gro. W. MuNroRD.
Secretary of the Commonwealth.