American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-01-09
starve in the streets or sub


have been left to starye in the streets or sub
sist on charity:
The slaves have been driven from the plan
tations in the neighborhood of New Orleans,
till their owners would consent to share the
crops with the commanding general, his
brother, Andrew J. Butler, and other officers;
and when such consent had been extorted,
the slaves have been restored to the planta-
tons, and there compelled to work under the
bayonets of guards of United States soldiers.
Where this partnership was refused, armed
expeditions have been sent TO thu. plantations
TO rob them of everything that was suscepti-
BILE of removal and even slaves, too aged or
infirm for work, have, in spite of their en-
treaties, been forced from the homes pro-
vded by the owners, and driven to wander
helpless on the highway:
By recent General Order, (No. 81, J the
entire property in that part of Louisiana
king west of the Mississippi river, has been
sequestrated for coufscation, and officers
have been assigned to duty, with orders to
gather up and collect the personal property
and turn over to the proper officers upon
their receipts such of said property as may
be required for the use of the United States
army; to collect together all the other per-
sonal property and bring the same to New
Orleans and cause it to be sold at public
auction to the highest bidders order
which, if executed, condemns to punishment
by starvation, at least quarter of a million
of human beings of all ages sexes and con-
ditions; and of which the execution, although
forbidden to military officers by the orders of
President Lincoln, is in accordance with the
conhscation law of our enemies, which he
/ has directed to be enforced through the
agency of civil officials. Aud finally, the
African slaves have not only ueen excited to
instruction by every license and encourage
ment, but numbers of them have actually
been armed for a servile war, a war in its
nature far exceeding in horrors the most
nerciess atrocities of the savages
Aud whereas, the officers under the COM
mand of the said Butler have been, in many
instances, active and Jealous agents in the
commission of these crimes, and instance
is known of the refusal of any one of them to
participate in the outrages above narrated ::
And whereas, the President Of the United
States has, By public and official declaration,
signitied not only his approval of the effort
TO excite servile war within the Confederacy
but his intention to give aid aud encourage
ment thereto, if these independent States
shall continue to refuse admission to for
egn power after the first day of January
next, and has thus made known that all APP
peals to the laws of nations, the dictates of
reason and the instincts of humanity would
be addressed in vain to our enemies, and
that they can be deferred from the commits
sion Of these crimes only by the terms of
Just retfibution.
Now, therefore, / Jefferson Davis, Presi-
dent of the Confederate States of America,
and acting by their authority, appealing to
the Divine Judge in attestation that their
conduct is not guided by the passion of re-
venge, but that they reluctantly yield to the
solemn duty of REFRESHING, by necessary
severity crimes of which their citizens are to
be victims. do issue this, my proclamation,
aud by virtue of my authority as command
er-in- chief of the armies of the Confederate
States do order,
Ist That all commissioned officers in the
command of said Benjamin F. Butler be de-
clared not entitled to be considered sold
iers engaged in honorable warfare, but as
robbers aud criminals, deserving death and
that they and each of them be, whenever
captured, reserved for execution.
I'd That the private soldiers aud nom
commissioned officers in the army of said
Butler be considered only the instruments
used for the commission of the crimes per-
petrated by his orders, and not as free agents.
that they, therefore, be treated, when cap
tured, as prisoners of war, with such kind
ness and humanity, and be sent home on the
usual parole, that they will in no manner aid
or serve the United States in any capacity,
during the continuance of this war, unless
duly exchanged.
Sd. That all negro slaves captured in
arms, be at once delivered over to the execu-
tive authorities of the respective States to
which they belong. to be dealt with accord
ing to the laws of said States.
4th That the like orders be executed in all
cases with respect to all commissioned Off
GERS of the United States when found serving
in company with armed slaves in insnrrec-
ton against the authorities of the different
States of this Confederacy.
In testimony whereof have signed these
presents. and caused the seal of
\ the Confederate States of America
L. S. to be affixed thereto, ut the city of
J Richmond, ON the goth day of De-
cember, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
TSignedl JEFFERSON DAVIS.
By the President:
j. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of State.