Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-03-07

Big. Geo Eapsasld bps lAtsly made }
conmonication to a Committee On Contra
bands, which is one Of the most torso and
conclusive papers called oUt by this war
II shows, beyond a shadow Of doubt, that
treason ia master Isl deed Of omhnciph-b
ton to hisslaves. II shows that state Of
civil war is all that is needed 70 carry en-
ancipation to the slaves Of every rebel in
the land. Just as fast as our army ad-
vSnces, giving protection to these slaves so
fast freedom reaches the slaves Of The rsb-
els, and all the Congressional acts ofsman-
cipation in the world could not have any
effect one step In advance Of our arms.
1t appears the General in command Of
Department in which Is Newport News,
sent there to collect for tho Government
the money earned by the contrabands, but
Gen. Mansfield resisted upon the grouBd.
the negroes were not slaves. A commission
was then appointed to enquire as TO the
status Of these contrabands, aud Gen. Mans
field communicated bis views
CAMP Butler, NEwPoRT NEws, Va,
February 8, 1862.
To the Commission, Col. Cram, Lieut. Col
onel Cannon, aud Major Jones, appoint
ed por General Order No. 8. from Head
quarters, Department of Virginia, to in
quiro into the condition Of certain con-
trabands.
GENTLEMEN: By invitation of member
Of the Commission, I take the liberty to ex-
press to the Commission my views on the
subject of the contraband negroes, so called,
These can be divieed into four classes:
lst. Those abandoned by their Rebel
owners, and compelled to ask for work aud
support.
I'd Those who have run away from their
owners, the Rebels, 10 obtain their freedom
from control.
Sd. Those who have been out at work
by their Rebel owners on the Notifications,
de-, to resist the Government, and have
made their escape.
4th. Free negroes who seek work for q
support.
The question now arises as to these ne
groes: Is the United States bound to hold
them as slaves, and deprive them of their
right 10 go where they pleasoi It is clear
they are not prisoners Of war, for they have
never been found in arms, and have made
their escape to avoid taking part against
the United States or have been abandon
ed to the United States, as the rebels have
abandoned lands, houses cattle &C., and are
human beings cast on the world with moth
ing but their hands to obtain a livelihood.
Some Of them having worked on Rebel for
tiicatious, &c, are released (under the 4th
Section Of the act Of Congress of tho 9th
August, 1861, to confiscate property
from further service TO their masters-and
in such cases what istheir position! Why,
simply that of any person in the country
released by law from the payment of an
obligation-a free person.
All these negroes, with the exception of
the fourth class, are or have been claimed
as property. by the very Rebels who have
taken up arms against the the United
States, and are lawful plunder, if property.
But they are not property, but persons held
to labor under the Constitution in certain
States, and nowhere else, and are not
bound or held to labor for the United States,
consequently buOy atO uOt SlhNco W luO ~ M
ted States. 1t is clear the condition of
slaves with them was coexistent with tho
obligations of the Confederate Slave States
to the Constitution and laws of the United
States, against which they are in open,
armed rebellion.
Now what are these negroesi Are they
not freemen by this state Of rebellioni By
the act of Secession, the Confederate States
have voluntarily broken the Constitution
and Laws Of the Union, and have taken up
arms against that Constitution and those
laws, and the United States are thereby alb
solved from the enforcement of the fugitive
slave law, even if so absurd a claim were
put forth. If this statement be true, they
are entitled as laborers to all the wages
they can earn, and to 60 where they please,
and would recommend that all their earn
ings be paid to them while in the United
States employ, and that all officers and
others who employ them in thisdepartment
be required to pay them just compeusa-
ton, and that they be allowed to improve
their condition if opportunity should admit.
You are at liberty to use this letter as
you please.
/ am, gentleman, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
MANSFIELD, Brig Gen. U. s. A.
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