The Placer herald., 1864-02-20
LETTER FROM GEN. MCCLELLAN.
CAMP NEAR HARRIsoN's LANDING Va,
Monday. July I 1862.

| Mr.. PRESIDENT: You have been fully in
formed that the rebel army is in our front,
with the purpose of overwh lining us BY
attacking our positions or reducing us by
bockadng our river communications.
cannot but regard our condition as critical,
and earnestly desire, in view of possible
contingencies, to lay before your excellency
for your private consideration my general
views concerning the existing state of the
rebellion, although they do not strictly relate
to the situation of the army, or strictly
come within the scope of my official duties.
These views amount to convictions, and are
deeply impressed upon my mind and heart.
Our cause must never be abandoned; it is the
cause Of free institutions and sefgovernment
The Constitution and Union must be pre-
served, wh"tever may be the cost in time,
treasure o. blood. If fsecession is successful,
other dissollutions are clearly to be seen in
the future. Let neither military disaster,
political faction nor foreign war shake our
settled purpose to enforce the equal operation
of the laws of the United States upon the
people of every State. The time has come
when the government must determine upon
civil and military policy covering the whole
ground of our national trouble. The respon,
sibility Of ofdetermining, declaring and supports
ing each civil and military policy, and Of
directing the whole course of military affairs
in regard to the rebellion, must now be
assumed and exercised by you or our cause
will be lost. The Constitution gives you
power sufficient even for the present terrible
exgency This rebellion has assumed the
character of war; as such it should be regard
ed, and it should be conducted upon the
highest principles known to Christian civili-
zation. 1t should not be war looking to
the subjugaton of the people of any State
on any event. 1t should not be at all war
upon population, but against armed forces
and political organizations. Neither confis
cation of property, political executions of
persons territorial organizations of States,
or forcble abolition of slavery should be con.
templated for moment. In prosecuting
the war all private property and unarmed
persons should be strictly protected, subject
only to the necessity of military operations
All private property taken for military use
should be paid or receipted for; plla.e and
waste should be treated as high crimes, all
unnecessary trespass sternly prohibited, and
offensive demeanor by the military toward
citizens promptly rebuked. Military arrests
should not be tolerated except in places
where active hostlities exist, and oaths not
required by enactments constitutionally
made should be neither demanded nor re-
ceived. Military government should be
confined to the preservation of public order
and the protection Of political rights. Mill
tary power shonld not be allowed to inter-
tere with the relations Of servitude, either by
supporting or mpairing the authority of the
master, except for repressing disorder, as in
act of Congress, seeking military protection,
should receive it. The right of the govern
ment to appropriate permanently to its own
service claims of slave-labor should be as
serted, and the right of the owner to com,
pensation therefor should be recognzed.-
The principle might be extended upon
grounds of military necessity and security to
all the slaves within particular State, thus
working manumission in such State; and in
Missouri, perhaps in Western Virginia, also,
possibly even in Maryland and the expedien'
CT OF such measure is only question of
time. A system of policy thus constitution
al and conservative and prevailed by the in
fuences of Christianity and freedom, would
receive the support of almost all truly loyal
men, would deeply impress the rebel masses
and all foreign nations, and it might be
humbly hoped that it would command itself
to the favor of the Almighty. Unless the
principles governing the future condu t of our
struggle shall be made known and approved,
the effort to obtain requisite forces will be
almost hopeless. A declaration of radical
views, especially upon slavery will rapidly
disintegrate our present armies. The policy
of the government must be supported by
concentrations of military power. The ma
tonal forces should not be dispersed in ex'
peditions, posts of occupations and numer-
Gus armies; but should be mainly collected
into masses and brought to bear upon the
armies of the Confederate States. Those
armies thoroughly defeated, the political
structure which they support would soon
cease to exist. In carrying out any system
of policy which you may form, you will re
aure Commander in-Chief of the army,
one who possesses your confidence, underl
stands your views, and who is competent
to execute your orders by directing the mill
tary forces of the nation to the accomplish
ment of the objects by you proposed. do
not ask that place for myself. | am willing
to serve you in such position as you may
assign me, and will do so as faithfully as ever
subordinate served superior. may be on
the brink Of eternity, and, as | hope forgiv-
eness from my Maker, have written this
letter with sincerity toward you and from
love for my country.
[Signed1 GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN.
Quick WoRK.-On the Goth of January
J. G.. Jenkins murdered Patrick OBrien
near Napa. jenkins has since been tried