Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-01-26

number of slaves; that " from the house
of Mr.. NJ. Dow en- We took away several OF
his nocrops who had been faithful to him,
whom he protected anil hnmanely supper
ted that this outrage has not the de-
fence attempted for the African slave
rfade that it has brought unciyilized
beings under the influence of christianity
aud civi'ization that this robbery takes
civilized beings fro,u their families and
homes; it deprives a klnd master of his
property, and Furnishes slaves for their f.
celly to him. Il is true that our forces
did invade the county of Washington, and
the officer in command did report to me
that he brought out with him some ne
groes.
hr. Stanly is a Representative of the
y. 5. Government; and [ take ii for
granted speaks by authority, and if it be
the determination of your government to
deliver up to their owners the hundred
thousands slaves You have stolen from
their kind and humane masters, , | am
sure my government will immediately
cause this one little act of robbery" to
DC di>countenanced, and cause the negroes
to be restored, and thus return to their
: kind masters their property and to this
end | will transmit to the property author
tiles YOUR communication and Mr.. Stan
ly's letter.
As it is an acknowledged principle
among christian nations to respect private
property in lands, | am sure my govern
tnent will ali this as an evidence that
hereafter yoErs will cease to deprive peace
tul citizens OF their private property.
deplore, as much as Mr.. Stanly does,
this taking of civilized beings from their
families and homes, and depriving owners of
their property, and l would it were the only
robbery of the kind that has occurred, but SO
many have been committed by the forces of
the United States, that it is now regarded as
a legitimate and proper, "6t and necessary
war measure" by your government.
Mr.. Stanley says, the voice of civil au-
thority outside your lines has no longer any
potency" You may rest assured | will do
all in my power to have those negroes de-
livered up to whom their services may be
due and will, in every way, discountenance
and forbid negro stealing, and in this | am
sure the 'Fgood people of North Carolina will
justify me-"
| DO not think the tow of Plymouth was
harbarously and w%illfully burned, but as re-
ported to me a house Was fired IN which
your troops made a stand, and from which
they fired on our soldiers Such things will
happen in war and often for no excuse except
the spirit of destruction, as seen on the banks
of the Mississippi, Potomac. Roanoke, Rap
pahannock and James rivers, where cities,
towns and private residences, as a rule, have
been burned or battered Town by your land
and naval forces.
/ regret very much that in this street fight
a woman was killed. Ii was first brought to
my knowledge by letter which was received
from you, and it should be regretted that
accidents of the same kind occurred from the
batteries of Gen. Burnside, when they open :
ed on the city of fredericksburg.
5 Surgeon Hunt was riding with a" party of
soldiers when he was killed, and in . the
official report to me, he was called and be-
lieved't to be a lieutenant in charge of a scout:
f ing party.
I will at once, General, write to the Cap
{ tain of the company to which the attacking
: force belonged, and do all in my power to
t find the Watch, and if successful will send
it to you, that you may place it in the hands
of his relations.
a. [ am General,
very respectfully,
y Your ob'dt servant,
[Signed1 S. G. FRENCH,
- AZ. Go1N Ho,oJ1-