Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-10-31

claim them, would De as clear now As In lblS,
the Constitution OF the United States being IN.
changed In this particular, and that instrument
having been interpreted In the Judicial de-
cIsiops, legislative End Diplomatic acts and
rorrespop dence Of the United States, as i'm
posing upon that Government the duty OF pro-
tectlng, In all cases coming within the scope
of It's authority, the owners Of slaves, as we'll
al Of ahy other kind Of property recognized as
such by the several States.
The Confederate Government, bound by the
same constitutional obligations, considers, as
that of the United States did, that the capture
or abduction of negro slave does not preclude
the lawful owner from reclalmlng him when
captured, and am instructed TO say that all
such slaves, when properly Identified as be
longing 10 citizens OF any OF the Confederate
states, or To persons enjoying the protection OF
their laws, will be restored, like other recap
'ured private property, to those entitled TO
them.
Having endeavorcd to explain the general
policy of the Confederate Government with re-
gard 10 this subject beg leave TO state tho facts
concerning the particular transactions, referred
| to in the enclosed communications.
The negroes recently captured BY our forces
were sent TO Richmond with other Federal pris.
| oners. After their arrival II was discovered
| that number Of them were slaves belonging
| TO citizens or residents OF some Of the Confede-
rate States, and OF this class ffty-nine, as
learn, were sent, with other negroes, TO work on
the Notifications around Richmond until their
| owners should appear and claim them AS
| soon as | was Informed OF the fact, less than
| TWO days afterwards, not wishing TO employ
them here, ordered them to be sent 10 the
| rear.
| By Interpretation OF the engineer officer
| in charge, they were transferred to our lines
south Of the James river, but, when apprised
Of the error, repeated the order for their re-
moval. If any negroes were included among
| this number, who were not identified as the
slaves OF citizens or residents Of some OF the
Confederate States, they were 80 included with
| out the knowledge or authority OF the War De-
| partment, as already explained, and the mis-
take, when discovered, would have been cor
| rected.
It only remains for mo 10 say that negroes
employed upon our Notifications are not al.
lowed to be placed where they will be exposed
TO fire, and there is no foundation for any
statement to the contrary.
The author of the communications referred
to has considered himself justified by the re.
ports Of two deserters, who do not allege that
the negroes In question were exposed to any
danger In placing our prisoners under the fire
| Of our batteries.
| In view of tho explanations Of TIE practice
u the confederate government above given
| aud of the statement OF facts have made,
nave now, in accordance with my instructions
respectfully to inquire whether the course pur
sued toward our prisoners, as set forth In tht
accompanying letters, has your sanction, ant
whether 1t will be maintainedl
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
| (Signed) r. z. LEE, General.
HEAD'qRs ARMIES OF TIE UNITED STATES,
| Ostober 20, 1854. I
Gen. R. +. Lee, C. S. A., Commanding Army NOrthen
| THgidid:
GENERAL: Understanding, from your lette
of the 10Th, that the colored prisoners who wcr
employed at work in the trenches near For
the withdrawal Of the Confederate prisoner
employed in the Dutch Gap canal. ! shal
always regret the necs 5sity o. rCsaliating TO
wrongs done our soldiers; but regard 1t m,
duty to protect all pei sons received into th
army Of the United Gtates, regardless Of colo
or nationality. When acknowledged soldier
of the Government ere captured they must b
treated as prisoners of war, or such treamen
as they receive will be inflicted upon an equs
number of prisoners held by us.
l have nothing to do with the discussion o
| the slavery que uCstion, therefore decline answer
ing the arguments adduced TO show the right T.
return to former owners such negroes as ar
captured from our amy. In answer TO tn
question at the conclusion Of your letter, Ihav
to state that all piitoners OF war falling int
my hands shall receive the klndest treatmen
possible, consistent with occurring them, unles
| have good authority for believing any mum
ber of our men are being treated otherwise
Then, painful as 1t may be to inc, shall inaic
like treatment on an equal number of Confed
crate prisoners.
Hoping that It may never become my duty I
order retaliation upon any man held as prii
oner of war, have the honor to be, very n
spectfully, your obedient servant,
(signed) U. 3. GRANT,
| Lieutenant General,