Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-12-23

NJ "s'onks' 11a' :.s-siaahIA excuse shall
| tfeated as deserter." There is reason -
anu regret to state it, that it is too common t
mno nave recovered from disability and arc ~. e ~
TO return to duty to continue to ahsa. 9 ~ now aD
and to draw their pay while render;ns nv neselVe
rms IS burning disgrace and No g ~
should Tolerate an inmate who will tbus ~ ia.i
1 ,Ae tnese. 1t becomes their friends NOT oni
n no' W ASK them to stay but to implore thano ty
n1 tnaY may aid their comrades in eonaner;, ~ 20
speedy peace nen and not till then, will thew he
able, with honor and qualification, to recne nnder
their own vine and fig trees, and to enjoy the bless
ngs they will have secured by their manly exertions
for themselves and their posterity.
The President, with an anxious solicitude asks
assistance, Sin securing for the use of the army
such necessary supplies as exist within the State y,
excess OF the quantity indispensable for the support
OF the people at home" have, heretofore with ear
nest appeals in my procamations, invoked from the
people these necessary supplies | repeat now. that
the necessity for such supplies still exist and thai
prompt assissance viii prevent or any rate ale
viate much suffering. Men who are lighting for ~
and risklng their lives for the common cause have =
right to expect that proper exertons shall be made
TO protect them, by suitable clothing from inclemen,
weather, and to prov !e them with necessary food
am happy to testify that have had presented TO
me, BY ndivi iduals. noble examples Of liberal gifts
to edd to the comfort of our troops and that have
seen IN all our public prints ample evidence of un.
bounded charity, which would reflect the highest hon
Or.
gard OF their means, but have opened their hearts an
tneir purses In generous acts Such conduct deserves
the thanks OF the State and worthy off,, empaton
II Is ASKED Oh tne olHeren to provide su :L
awS s'aS viii enable the Governors command slave
labor to the extent which may be required in the pros
ecuGon Of works conducive TO the public defence p,
The State OF Virginia has already responded to this
call, and the Legislature has passed an act annie f
the purpose, but regret to say that the counties
heretofore called on. with few honorable exceptions
have not complied with the requisitions as fully and
promptly as could have been desired. These are
proper laws. The slave population is a Iarge ono
nearly onethird OF the population of the whole State
not far from being half of the population of the
loyal part of the State. The slaves are exemnted
from serving IN our armies, they freed from all
military duty, and It's but reasonable that small
portion Of their time and labor should be devoted to
the prosecution Of works conducive to the public d.
fence. The law is liberal one to the owners II
Allows sixteen dollars per month as q compensation
Tor the labor OF each save besides ratons medicines
and medical attendance 1t provides that "the value
OF all such slaves that may escape from the Cnnfe5
efae autn0rtlas ana returned to their ar
or killed by the public enemy, or may, by
want of due diligence the part OF the authorities
OF the Confederate States in any manner be lost tothe
owners shall 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
dihgence the part OF the authorities OF the Confec
crate States
As army constituted, it is but right to lessen
he burdens they have to bear and to the earth
works upon our notifications to be constructed by the
abOrerS who are Injured to such service. The County
Courts authorized apportiOn the slaves called
or in their respective counties, and they ought to
make the appointment in such manner as to be least
)nerous upon their elIow-cltiZens particularly as
here is no appeal from the decision they make. By
careful exercise OF this power, much hardship may
,e ayerted If the Courts fail refuse to comply
With the requistons the law invests the Executive
With authority, by officers and agents OF his own Sc
ecton, with the aid of the Commissioners of the Rev
nues to impress the proportions OF slaves demanded
rom the county, not exceeding i've per centum OF the
,ntlre slave population thereOf The perfOrma zee of
his duty the Executive would gladly forego, greatly
that thejustces elected by the people, and
gho know their situation and circumstances should
discharge 1t, but # the failure continues after due
ice, the duty will be performed with unshrinking f.
ieiy, under the full belief that the labor called for
necessary, and that the prompt completion of the
ortfcanon will greatly conduce to the public defence
In addition to these several subjects, deem 1t to
my duty call the attention of the people gener-
lily but of the county and corporation courts espe-
aIly, to the necessity that exists for increased
-igiiance regard to domestic and county police
}ur slaves have hitherto been contented and happy |
,eaceabe and trust worthy, and doubt they will
continue so Notwithstanding the dsgraceful procla /
nation of the President of the United States and the
Eameful attempts OF abolition emissaries and armies
o render them dscontented and insubordinate But |
times like these it IS proper to be ever watchful
yer the guard therefore recommend, earnestly |
hat the several county and corporation Courts shall
orthwith proceed to execute the provisions of the
State law relative to establishing patrol II each coun
and corporation. to visit, within snch bounds as the
Jouris may require, all negro quarters and other pla
es suspected of having therein unlawful assemblies
,r such slaves may stroll from one plantation to
mother without permission. Let every master keep
watchful guardianship over his plantation and cause
lis saves to keep within their premises and pro-
lblt others from making unnecessary visits If the
county courts cannot assemble promptly, let EACH
ustice OF the peace order out patrols. the law a-
horizes him to do to continue in service until the
lext term of the county or corporation Court.
nd 1fU fha dorac, 4
tie terms the vile spirit OF extortion now SO rife in
III portions OF the Conederacy, and urgently appeals
the Executives of the States to urge upon their sew
ra legislatures the necessity of passing such laws as
will effectually restrain and crush earnestly in
,oke the patrlouc everywhere dlscountenance ex-
oron and extortoners, and patriotic appeals will
induce them to change their policy and abandon
of conduct calculated to prejudice cur holy
ause, then urge them to impress upon their Sena
ors and Delegates in the General Assembly the ne
essity of adopting such legislation as will remedy
he evil at their next session in January
We have another struggle to make against our nm
crupulous foe 1t may not be the last, but let it be
It least worthy of our ancestors and ourselves. Let
be gallant hight In which we shall put forth all of
nanhood OF vigor and of courage that has been given
is from Heaven. Let it be recorded in future
ime that Virgnians emuaied their glorious sires and
ought with determined eeoness and valor, leaving
lothing undone that might have been done to ensure
success.
- Given under my hand at Richmond and
L. S. under the Seal of the Commonwealth. this
~ Sd day of December, 1852, and IN the
18th year OF the Commonwealth.
JOHN LETCHER.
By the Governor: ea W
GEORGE W. MUNFoRD,
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Dec I6--2t
IN On the first day Of january 1868, at 10 o'clock
N, viii be sold to the highest bidder, at public