, 1862-07-15

By the Senate, calling upon the President to /
communicate the Instructions to commanding
officers in pursuance Of the acts Of last July,
setting free the s1eyes who have been en-
plo,ea, with tho tIa,oenl Of their naoat..rs,
against the government and laws Of the United
States, and to state what steps have been
taken to make the statutes effective. The fol-
lowing is synopsis Of the yolunlinous docu-
ments transmitted.i in response to the call:
The Secretary Of War writes to Brigadier
General Saxton, under date Of 16:h, directing
him to assume the charge, in the department
Of the South, Of all Plantations deserted by
their owncrs with the Inhabitants thereof,
with authority to make such rules for the cu1-
tiyation Of the land and the control and eu1-
ployment Of the people as circumstances may
require. He is authorized to assume police
duties over them; is guaranteed ample pro-
lection from the major general commanding:
is allowed such rations rs may bc suitable Tor
those in want; is furnished with medical and
ordnance etores, and is indcperaent of any
authority except that Of the commanding gen
eral The Secretary says:
"1t is expected that by encouraging industry
and skill in the cultivation OF the neccssar1ts VI
life and general sef improvement. you will, as tat
as possible, promote the well being Of all people
| under your jurisdiction.
| Gen. Butler, writing from the department
| ofVirginia, May 9, 1861, said he was pe1plexed
with new difficulty He lad negro property
| TO The amount Of SEC, coo; 8 portion OF them
women. and Children not able bodied Ia
bosere. He passed to credit all labor performs
ed, and charged all goods and rations far-
| nished them. He says:
"As military question, it would seem to be q
measure Of necessity to deprive their masters Of
their services: as political question and ques-
ton Of humanity, can l receive the services of 2
father and mother and not take tue children M of
the humanitarian aspect have no donot of the
political one} l haye no right 10 judge
| Secretary Cameron, May 3d. 1861, writes to
Gen. Butler that his action is approved. Au-
gust 3, lie writes again, saying that It WAS me
III loyal States should be preserved; but th It
in States wholly or partially under insufrec-
tioEary control, these rights must necessarily
come under military authority; that all slaves
should be received, and no claim be allo Ted
to disloyal owners for the service Of the
! | slaves.
Under date ofScptember 20, 1861. the Secre
!, | tary OF WaI directs Gen. Wool to send contra
bands TO Gen. Mcclellan, and Oh the 22nd
orders them to be returned for service on tMht "a
= Of them to he prepared ts accompany Gen
= Sherman.
Assistant Secretary scett writes to- Gen
! Sherman, Oct Il, to employ fngitiyes in sucl
ssrriees as they may be lifted for, either
e ordinary employees, or if special Circumstance
! eecm to rseuire it, "in squads, companies 0
4 otherwise, as you may deem beneficial to tn
= = sersice; this, however. not being gcnera
i aiming Of them for military services,
- Mejor-Gen. Wool writes from Fortres
.s Monroe, Nov. Is, inquiring about the pay c
"a cont1abands. He says some Of the officer
~ paid on account Of the government $40 Il
,o Iabore1s. He allowed $40 and Subsistence
- snd wished to reduce all to that price. II
Secretary communicated his approval
Gsn. M Phelps xrts1 from Gang rn RT1pst pet,
~ ulars Of the sending Of slaves, bag and bA
O gage, to his lines By Mr. Babilliard lie Brant
or Who tells lin that the Yankees are King he
57 how, and that they must 90 to their king f
- food and shelter. He enlarges upon tt:s ~.
er peculiar condition; comments on the utt
Lis failure of the government to recognize the
rights; discusses the elements Of insure
m m effect Of the slave labor system on so.ie
ny 'ar there; considers the question Of ema
h. H. cipation, intimates that compromise #
"a ID with politicians; fsyors the policy .
~, immediate abolition, aud closes with sta
as as ment Of the wants of the fugittyes before:
'H 4s lines. asking Instructions. He SAYS the NJ
Y, article Of var Is The hrst support ne Ia has
Branch, who processes to be loyal. recognis
In tho emancipation Us an Impending fact
ha Gen. Butler, j June 15, 1862, gives further
-. tails of the above case, and asks Tor Instr
IN tons.
the The Secretary of War, July 8, writesto G.
HE ithe presfdent1 is Of the opinion that,
der the law Of Congress. they esnn9t ne e9nt .
les must not be permitted to eudes for want Of 70
in. shelter, or oiher necesraries Of life; that to
ion end they ahond be pozdsa o5 n re and
a1s those who are capable Of labor shoald be set