The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-18


gave them . certificate OF manumission.
Most of the slaves in New Hampshire
were emancipated by their owners, with
the exception Of such as had grown old
in service, and refused 10 accept their
freedom, remaining with theiy masters,
or as pensioners on the families Of their
descendants.
In Massachusetts, whose earlier ac-
tion has been noted, 9 COMMITTEES Of the
Legislature, in lT7s, reported in favor OF
raising a regiment of negroes, mulat-
toes, or lndians"--in which one sergeant
in each company, and all tile higher OH.
GERS were 20 be white men.
Connecticut, too, is said to have resort
ed to the expedient Of forming a corps Of
colored soldiers when the difficulties of
recruiting became pressing, and the late
Gen. Humphreys, who was attached TO
the military family of the commander
n-chief, like Laurens, accepted the COM
mand of company Of these men, who
are said TO have conducted themselves
with fidelity and efficiency throughout
the war"
In New York, where the system of do
nestle slavery was as firmly and rigor-
ously established as in any part of the
country, under colonial la9s--certainly
with more severity than in either Mas
sachusetts or Connecticut-the frat act
that went TO relax the system was the
act Of 17S1, which gave freedom to- all
slaves who should serve in tho army for
the term of three years, or until regular
ly discharged. The enlistment was TO
be with the consent of the owner, who
received the land bounty, and was dis
charged from any future maintenance Of
the slave. pt
II is singular contrast that, in New
Jersey, the enlistment of slaves was pro-
hibited in the same year, 1871.
In 17s0, an act was passed in Mary.
land TO procure 1000 men 20 serve three
years. The property in the State was
divided into classes of $4,000 each of
which was, within twenty days, TO fur
nish one recruit, who might be either a
freeman or slave. In 1871 the Legis-
lature resolved TO raise immediately 750
negroes, to be incorporated with the other
troops.
Among the inducements offered to re-
cruits in the Southern States, "a healthy,
sound negro, between the ages of ten and
thirty years, or sixty pounds in gold or
silver, at the option of the soldier, in lieu
thereof" as well as the land bounty, were
| given (n Virginia. TO soldiers already
enlisted, or who should enlist and serve
to the end Of tho war.
South Carolina gave q similar bounty
Zone sound negro, between the age Of
ten and forty" "for zach and every years
service" to soldiers enlisted for three
years, or during the war.
The idea that the negroes might be put
to better use did not escape all the
statesmen Of Virginia. James Madison,
at that time member of the Continental
Congress, expressing his satisfaction with
the determination of the Legislature of
that State to recruit their line of the
army for the war, refers TO the "negro
bounty" as follows:
without deciding on the expedienoy
of the mode under their consideration,
would il not be as well 10 liberate and
make soldiers at once of the blacks them
selves, rs TO make them instruments for
Cnlisting white soldiers? 1t would cer-
tainly be more consOnant TO the princi-
Piles of liberty, which ought never to be
lost sight of in contest for liberty; and
with white officers and a majority Of
white soldiers, no imaginable danger
could be feared for themselves, as there
certainly could be none from effect or tho
example on those who should remain in
bondage: experience having shown that
a freedman Immediately loses all attach
ment and sympathy with his former fell
low slaves"
In Virginia, an act was passed Ia 1777,
| that no negro should be enlisted without
& certificate Of freedom, the preamble to
which declares that slaves had deserted
their masters, and under pretence Of be-
ing fresmsn had enlisted as soldiers.
In the "0ld Dominion" too, many
persons during the course of tho war
caused their slaves 10 enlist having ten
dered them 10 the recruiting officers as
substitutes for free persons, whose lot or
duty il was TO serve in the army, at the
same time representing that these slaves
were freemen. On the expiration of the
term of enlistment the former owners at
tempted TO force them TO return TO state
Of servitude with an equal disregard Of
the principles Of justice and their own
solemn promise.
The infamy of such proceedings
aroused just indignation, and led TO an
act Of emancipation Of all slaves who
had been thus enlisted aud served their
term faithfully. The act acknowledged
that such persons having Contributed
towards the establishment Of American
liberty and Independence, should enjoy
the blessings Of freedom as a reward for
their tolls and labors;" and authorized
them 10 sue IN torna paupelis and TO recov-
er damages if detained in slavery
Even in South Carolina, an act was
passed in 1888, enfranchising the wife
and child Of negro slave, who had been
employed by Governor Rutledge as a spy
during the war. The diligence and fidel-
ity which he displayed In executing th,
commissions with which he was intrus-
ted, and the Important information which
he obtained from within the enemy'a lines
frequently at the risk Of his life, are duly
COMMUNICATED In the act and the eman-
cipation Of his wife and child was his
'instant aud reasonable reward" Il
does not appear whether the slave him
self ever became a freeman.
Another document will serve 10 illus
trate the subject still further-.Jas e al
haste docni. Lord Ddnmores offers, 10
1875, have already been alluded 10, and
are familiar TO most readers those oi
Sir Henry Clinton in 1770, which fol-
low, have hitherto attracted less atien'
ton;
"By his EHcellenoy Sir Henry Clinton
X b., General, and Commander-in-
Chief Of all His Majesty's Forces
within the Colonies lying on the