Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-08-29
IRON NEW ORLEANS.
BITwsIN BUTLKR AND PHELPS IL REGARD
TO The sKGRo BRIGADE.
CANP PARAPEr, La. August 9 1852.


CAMP PARAPEr, La, August 2, 1852.
:Nojor. General B. r Butler,
Commanding The Dsputrsa. of The GGif:
sR-Two communications from you, OF this date,
have this moment been received. 0ne of them refer-
the raising Of volunteers militia forces, stating
that unjust desist from the formation Of any negro
military organizations" and the other declaring, in
spirit contrary 10 all usage Of military service and TO all
the rights and liberties of citizen Of free Govern
ment that my resignation will not be accepted by you
that leave of absence until its acceptance by the Pres
dent will not be granted me, aud that must TO it
that your orders-whioh could not obey without be
coming save myself-are faithfully and diligently
executed" .
/. can be Of little consequence 10 me as 10 what kind
Of slavery am 10 be subjsc.ed, whether to African
slavery that which you Extensively propose for
me, giving me order wholly opposed to my conyic
lions Of right, as well as Of thehgher seals Of public
necessities the case and insisting upon my complying
with it faithfully and diligently, allowing ro1m TO
escape with my convictions OF principles, at any ssc
6oe that may make. i cannot submit. 70 either kind
OF slavery and cannot, therefore, for double reason
comply with your order Of the Slst OF July in complying
With which should submit. TO both knds-ooth to Afri
can slavery and 10 10 which you In ts defence
Qssrous to the last Of saving the public interests in
volysd appeal to your OF justice TO reconsider
your decision and M the the out of the
sacrifice which cfr BY granting the quiet proper and
customary action upon my resignation.
By refusing my ropast you may subject me to great
inconvenience without as fer cai see, any advsn-
tige either 10 yourself to the service. With the view
oil securing myself tardy justice in the case, being 70
mote from the Capital, wnen tho transmission OF the
mails s remarkably irregular aud uncertain, and IN or
der 10 give you every assurance tha. my resignation lie
teLdered in strict compliance with paragraph twenty
nine Of the guliOBs TO DC unconditional knd mmedi
ate herewith enclose a copy Tor the A6usnt General
Of the army, which desire may be forwarded TO him
70 be laid before the President for early action 10
as his EIcelency may be pleased to accord and
my position, sufficiently unpleasant already, promises TO
become much more 20 still by the OF action
which sorry to find that you deem IL proper to pur
sue, urgently request his EIcelency, by speedy &C.
ceptance Of my commission, 70 liberate from that
OF sufocltion from that darklng Of bond
age and enthralment which, i. appears to me- like the
snake around the muscles and sneus Of LAGOON s
sngng and deadenipg the energies Of the government
and country, when decisive might cut the eyils aud
berse from theiT bone end fascinating nlusncs for
sier.
In conclusion Of this commune lton aud should also
Gope Of my services In this department, deem il my
duty to state est il might otherwise come to your
notice. that several parties Of the free colored OF
New Orleans have recently come to consult on the
propre:y Of raising or two regiments Of volunteers
their class Of the population for the defense Of the
government and good order aud that have recon
uended theG TO propose the measure 10 yOu having
p1Wer 10 Get upon IL myself
Your otedient servant
w. PRLPs Brig Gen.
hosDAY, August 4. ls62-P. The negroes increase
rapidly. There are doubtless six hundred able.
bodied men in camp. These, added TO those who are
su sring uselesslS in the prisons ard ails of New Or
leans aud vicinity end eessg rem the general stock Of
provisions, would make q good rgia,ent Of one iaou
sand men, who nigh: contribute much to the pteser
walton Of Law aud good order regiment of Clucss.
sians aud probably much more. Now mere burden,
they might become benz cent element Of governmen.
tai power. j. W. p.
CAMP PARAFrT, La, August q 1862.
Ger. Lorenzo Thomas, Acjataat General Washir gioD
Do:
sIR-Fndiog 1t impossible to serve in this department
without doing violence my convictions Of right and
pub ic necessity respectfully tender you the resignation
of my commission officer OF the army OF the Uni
ted States and request early au acEnowl dgment OF
its acceptance az conveniently poasibe. haze the
honor be, sir, very respectfully, your obedent
want, j. W. PHELPs,
Bfgador General.