Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-07-11

LETTER FROM GEN. HUNTER.
The letter from Gen. Hunter in reply to
resolution introduced in Congress by MT
wickliGe of Kentucky, asking Of the Secre-
tary Of War information respecting the rails
ing Of negro regiments in Gen. Hunters de-
partment, has been published The letter
has created considerable Of a furry in Con-
gross, and on Saturday there was lengthy
discussion on the motion to rect nsider the
order to print the letter,--a discussion which
brought out Mr. Stevens Of Pennsylvania,
who rebuked the policy Of the Administra-
ton in the conduct Of the war. On Monday
Senator Chandler Of Michigan, in debate in
the Senate also made direct attack upon
the President and Gen. Mcclellan. Mr..
Stevens in the House and Mr.. Chandler in
the Senate are the most activ, Of the so-called
radicals in Congress and from their course
it seems that rupture between the Presi-
dent and the class they represent is almost
inevitable. The following is Gen. Hunters
letter:
Ponr RoyAr, June %
10 EdtoiH w. Stanton, Secretary Of Var
Sir have the honor TO acknowled the receipt Of a
communication nom the Adiutant- General " the Army
date June 49, 1862, requesting me 60 furnish You with
the information necessary 20 answer certain resolutions
introduced To- the House n Reprcscnatites june OH
motion Of Hon. Mr. Wcklfe Of Kentucky, their
substance being 10 iuQuifelst whether had organiz
cd or was Organizing regiment Of fugitive slaves In this
Department "a whether any authority had been given
TO me from the War Department iJr such organization
Sd, whether had been furnished by order " the War
Department with clothing uniforms arms, equipments,
Only having received the letter covering these nqui
res az late hour Saturday night and being Obliged 20
urge forward my answer In time for the steamer sailing
to-day monday this haste prevents from entering
infinitely as could wish upon many points Of detail
such As the paramount importance Of the subject calls
llftf fN IaH Of Tho N.wr . 49,
session Of Congress and the widespread interest which
must have been awakened by Mr. WickliHe's resolution
prefer sending even this imperfect answer 10 waiting
the period necessary for the collection Of fuller aud
comprehensive data.
To the first question therefore reply that no regi.
mcut fugitive slaves has been being organized In this
Department There Is however fine regiment of per.
sons whose late masters are fugitive robos,-men who
everywhere fly before the appearance Of the National
flag leaving their behind them shift as best
they can for themselves So far indeed the loyal
persons oompoing this regiment from seeking TO avoid
the presence u their late owners that they now,
and all, working with remarkable industry % place
themselves in position to join in full and effective pur
suit Of their fusacious and tratorous pfopuotots.
To the second question, have the honor 10 answer,
that the instructions given 20 Brigadier W sherman
by Hon Simon Cameton late Secretary Of War. turned
over 20 by succession for my gud,nrr do distinctly
authorize employ all loyal persons offering their
vices in defence Of the MON and for the suppression
Of this rebellion in any manner might see 1T or that
the circumstances might call for. There ia resttic
ton as 20 the character color Of the persons 10 be
ployed, or the nature u the employment whether civil
or mlntAfY, "a which their services shall be used
cude therefore that J have been authorized TO enlist
fugitive slaves soldiers, could ANY such be found ia
the Department No such characters however have YET
appeared within view OF our most advanced ptcNets TIT
loyal slaves everywhere remaining their plantation q
welcome us, aid as and supply with food, labor
information. IL is the masters Who have In every in
stance been the gtves running away tom loyal sayt
we'll loyal soldiers and whom have only partial
W been able 20 with their heads over ramparsi
rife in hand lodging behind trees IN The extreme dis
lance
In the absence Of any fugitive master law, the deserted
slaves would be wholly without remedy, had not thc
umc OF treason given The right 20 pursue capture anc
bring back these persons of whose protection they hay
been thus suddenly bctef
To the third iuurrogatory h. is my painful duty repl
that never have received any specific authority for is
sues of clothing, uniforms, arms equipments etc, Il
the troops In question my general instructions from Mr.
Cameron 20 employ them IN any manner might fine
It necessary in the military exigencies ofihe Department
and the country, being my only, but IN my Judgment
sufficient justification. Neither have had any specific
authority Tor supplying those persons with shnvels spade
and pickaxes when employing them lahnrcrs viii
boats and oars when using them as fishermen. Bu
these are not the points indicated IN MI Wickhfe'
resolution. To me il seemed that lihcfty employ mel
IN any particular capacity implied with Il liberty also q
supply them with The necessary tools. and acting upoi
tais fact have clothed fquipped and ei the on
loyal regiment Vi Ct raised in South Carolina.
must say. in vndra'iun of nv conduct. that ha
not been for the other diversified snd imperative
claims ON NV time and att n1n much slfsacio
~ result might have been hoped fnr and that in pac
Of only present, at least vc sx well drilled
brave and thoroughly aociimNied regiments should hl
this time have been added loyal forces Of the Tn
ION. The experiment Of aruiug the blacks, far
have made IL, has been a complete aSi marveou
success They soner docile attentive and ,nthusi
asc, displaying great natural capacity fr acquiring ih
duties Of he soldier They eager beyond a things
10 take The field and be led into action and n is thu
unanimous opinion OF me officers who have had charge
Them that in the pccuarcs of fhs climate aud coun
Try they will prove invaluable auNiiare., fully equal
similar regiments 90 long aud successfully used h
the British authorities i ihe West Indian islands
IN conclusion vouid say that il uiy hope. there an
poaring poss hItY ~ other reini1rCenents1wiuE
the cNigences Of Che campaign the Peninsula 10 hav
organized by the cud N ueNt Ai and Co Ice able pre-
sent % 'he Government from 4S0 90 $1,000 of thes
hardy aud devoted soldiers
Trusting this letter may form part " your answer q
M Wickihe resolution. have the honor 90 De, mos
respectfully your very oledicnt servant.
d. HUNTER Maj Gen Commanding.
FoRErGN NEws.-By the arrival Of tn
steamship Europa at Boston on Monday, W
have later adyioes from England and France
The tone of the English press is more decid
edly for speedy termination of the War, witt
strong squirting towards intervention
The London Times as much as admits tina
the success Of the Coniedefates is placed be
yond all possibility Of hope, and that the re
bellion will in the end be suppressed, IA
admission which it has been slow to Nuke
We make the following extract from the tele
graphic report: