The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-12-05
THE EMANCIPATION PROCLA.
NATION. .
LETTER FROM GEN. LEE TO GEN.
HALLECK.
Special Dispatch to the New York World.


Special Dispatch to the New York World.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 81, 1862.
A report is current here, and very gen
orally believed, that Gen. Lee, of the rebel
army, has recently addressed a formal
communication to Gen. Halleck, touching
the proposed issue of an emancipation pro-
clamation OH the first of January next. 1t
viii be remembered that, after the exciting
debates in the rebel Congress as to the pro-
priety OF retaliation, the whole matter was
left to the discretion of the President Of
the Confederate States, with instructions
to take such measures as would compel the
withdrawal of the proclamation, or bring
home to the Northern troops some of the
evils it threatens against the Southern peO-
pie. 1t is stated that Gen. Lees letter is
exceedingly elaborate, 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
measures of military warfare are concern
ed. The fact is pointed out that in no work
on military law is the instigation Of SER
vile war recommended, endorsed, or even
mentioned; that, as Gen. Halleck himself
never thought of it in discussing the va
rious means that might be used by bellig-
erent enemies, the threat of servile war
and instruction is clearly not 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 barbarOus peo-
pie, and resenting it as such that the enc
my that will use it does an act as unjusti-
fable as the poisoning of wells or of food,
the manning and numbering of prisoners,
and the outraging of women. On this
ground it is demanded that the proclama-
ton be withdrawn.
Second, it is further urged by Gen. Lee
that, in case the proclamation is..not with
drawn, the Confederate military authori-
ties, sorely against their will, but strong in
the justice of their position, will be COM
PEELED to retalliate in the sternest manner
upon all the Union prisoners that fall into
their hands. It is not specified what pun
ishment will be inflicted, but it is distinctly
intimated that if, through the instigation
OF the Federal troops, any women or chill
dren are murdered by infatuated negroes,
an equal number of Union troops will be
put to death. On this matter the Confed-
crate government wishes the Federal gov
eminent to understand that it is very much
in earnest, and will do even more than it
threatens. ... ,....
Accompanying this document, and adj
dressed to other members of the govern
ment, it is stated that letter from 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 militia
ry arguments urged by General Lee, an
argument drawn from the recent elections
in the North is made use of by the conted-
crate statesmen. If the Union shall be-
restored, this document urges it will be
better not to have this gulf of blood be-
tween the North and South, and, even
should the South succeed in their efforts,
there would be fewer unpleasant memories
to rankle.' .'
Notwithstanding these communications,
it is still asserted here that Mr. Lincoln is
determined to adhere to the proclamation,
and to carry out the radical programme to
the bitter end.