Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1862-12-18
eve0a.sgsea.as ss'esgs.
From the New York World.

( NetcS from HQShtitgtOt-1"t t0e"
/ Letter from Gen. lee to Gen. Hat
zeck-Retalidtton Threatened IA
Case an Emancipation P'Oc1dmd
ton is ksued-Gen. Lees Argas
nae,,ts &oted-DisgracJM Con
duct OF Secretary Stamtoa toecurd
Newspaper Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Nov. q, 1862.
+ A report is current here, and
very generally believed, that Gen,
Lee, of the rebel army, has recent
ly addressed formal communica-
ton to General Halleck touching
the proposed issue Of an emanci-
patton proclamation on the first Of
January next. It will be remem-
bered that after the exciting de
bates in the rebel Congress as to
tie propliety Of retaliation, the
whole matter was left to tbs dis
cretion Of the President Of the
Confederate States, with instruc-
tons to take such measures as
would consel the recall Of the
proclamation, or bfing home TO the
Northern. troops some of the evils
it threatens against the Southern
people. It is stated that General
Lees letter is exceedingly elabo-
rate, and discusses the question
from every point Of view. The
points it is said to contain are as
follows:
First, the unwarrantable nature
Of, the proclamation, so far as the
recognized meastfes of military
warfare are concerned. The fact
is pointed out that in 10 work on
military lawis the instigation of a
servile war recommended, indCrsed,
or even mentioned; that as Gen:
Halleck himself never thought of
it in discussing the various means
that might he used by belllgerent
enemies, the threat of 4 servile
war and Instruction is clearly not
a proper military procedure; that,
being outside of military law, the
Southern people are justified in
regarding it as coming under the
brutal and savage expedients Of a
barbarous people, and resenting it
as such; that the enemy that will
use it does an act as unjustifiable.
as the poisoningof wells or of food,
the manning or numbering Of pris-
oners, and the outraging OF wo-
men. On this ground it is de-
manded that the proclamation be
withdrawn.
Second, it is urged by General
Lee that in case the proclamation
is not Withdrawn, the Confederate
military authorities, sorely against
their will, but strong III the justice
of their position, will lie compelled
to retaliate in the stcrnest manner
upon all the Union prisoners that
fall into their hands. Its net spec
lied what punishment will be In
flicted, but it is distinctly intlma-
ted that if, through the instiga-
ton Of the Federal troops, any wo-
men OF chilJren are murdered by
infuriated negroes, an equal NUM-
Der of Union troops will be prompt
ly put to death. On this matter
the Confederate Government wish
es the Federal Government to un-
derstand that it is very much in
earnest, and will do even more
than it threatens.
Accompanying this document,
and addressed to other members of
the Government, it is stated that a
letter from a high member of the
Confederate Government is now in
Washington for members Of the
Cabinet, arguing the question as
TO the propriety of resembling the
Objectionable proclamation, In
addition to the military arguments
urged by Gen. Lee, an argument
drawn from the recent. elections in
the North is made nse of by the
Confederate statesmen. II. the
Union shall be restored, this doou-
ment urges, it will be better not to
have this gulf of blood between
the North and South, and even
should the South succeed in their
efforts there. would be fewer IN
pleasant memories 10 rankle. q
Notwithstanding. the eommuni-
cations, it is Still asserted here Chat
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