The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1862-07-25
The Negro Question.
INSTRUCTIONS TO MILITARY COM.
MANDERS.


MANDERS.
On the 4th inst. q resolution was adopted
by the Senate, calling upon the President
to communicate instructions to commanding
officers in pursuance of the acts 0flast July
setting free the slaves who have been em-
ployed, with the consent of their masters,
against the government and laws of the
United States, and to state what steps have
been taken to make the statutes effective.
The following is synopsis of the volumi-
nous documents transmitted in response to
the call:
The Secretary of War writes to Briga.
dier General Saxton, under date of June
Is, directing him to assume the charge, in
the Department of the South, of all plans
tations deserted by their owners with the
inhabitants thereof, with authority to make
such rules for the cultivation of the land
and the control and employment of the peo,
pie as circumstances may require. He is
authorized to assume police duties over
them; is guaranteed ample protection from
the Major General commanding; is al>
lowed such rations as may be suitable for
those in want; is furnished with medical
and ordnance stores, and is independent Of
any authority except that of the command
ing General. The Secretary says:
1t is expected that by encouraging industry
and skill in the cultivation of the necessaries
of life, and general self-improvement, you will,
as far as possible, promote the well.being of
all people under your jurisdiction.
Gen. Butler, writing from the Depart
inent of Virginia, May 2, 1861, said he was
rerplexed with new difficulty. he had
negro property to the amount of $60,000;
portion of them women and children, not
able.bodied laborers. He passed to credit
all labor performed, and charged all goods
and rations furnished them. He says:
As military question, it would seem to be
measure of necessity to deprive their mas;
ters of their services; as polical question and
a question of humanity, can l receive the ser.
vices of father and mother and not take the
children? Of the humanitarian aspect Il have
no doubt of the political one) | have no right
to judge,
Secretary Cameron, May 30, 1861,
writes to Gen. Butler that his action is ap-
proved. August 9th he writes again, say
ing that it was the desire of the President
that all existing rights in loyal States should
be preserved; but that in States wholly or
partially under insurrectionary control,
these rights must necessarily come under
military authority; that all slaves should
be received, and no claim be allowed to dis,
loyal owners for the services of the slaves.
Under date of September 20, 1861, the
Secretary of War directs Gen. Wool to
send contrabands to Gen. Mcclellan, and
on the 22d orders them to be returned for
service on the Southern coast. October S,
be directs 1000 of them to be prepared to
accompany Gen. Sherman.
Assistant Secretary Scott writes to Gen.
Sherman, October IA, to employ gitives
in such services as they may be fitted for,
either as ordinary employees, or if special
circumstances seem to require it, "in squads
companies or otherwise, as you may deem
beneficial to the service; this, however,
not being general armiDg of them for
military services"
Major General Wool writes from Fortress
Monroe, November 25, inquiring about the
pay of contrabandS. He says some of the
officers paid on account OF the government
$40 for Iaborers. He allowed $40 and
subsistence, and wished to reduce all to that
price. The Secretary communicated his
approval.
General Phelps writes from Camp Para
pet to Mr. Carrolton of Louisiana, giving
particulars of the sending of slaves, bag and
baggage, to his lines, by MIR. LIE Branch,
who tells them that the Yankees are king
here now, and that they must 60 to their
king for food and shelter He enlarges
upon their peculiar condition; comments
upon the utter failure of the government to
recognize their rights; discusses the elements
of insurrection in Louisiana; refers to the
effect of the slave labor system on society
there; considers the question of emaucipa
ton; intimates that compromise will here.
after be made with labor, and not with
politicians; favors the policy of immediate
abolition, and closes with statement of
the wants Of the fugitives before his lines,
asking Instructions. He says the new article
of war is the first support he has yet had
from the government. He thinks Mr.. Branch,
who PROCESSES 70 be loyal, recognizes the
emancipation as an impending fact
General Batter, June Is, 1862, gives fur
ther details of the above case, and asks for
Instructions.
The Secretary of War, July 3, 1862,
writes to General Butler:
He (the PresidenD is Of opinion that under
the law of Congress, they cannot be sent back
to their master that in common humanity,
they must not be permitted to suffer for want
of food, shelter, or other necessares of life !;
that to this end they should be provided for
by the Quartermaster and Commissary De.
partments, and that those who are capable of
labor should be set to work, and paid reason.
able wages. The President. indicating this.
does not assume to settle any general rule at
present with regard to the slaves.