The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-06
STAMPEDE OF NEGROES IN KENTUCKY.


HrADorAKrERs BsrARrMEn OF KExrucxY,
L.v,sy. Ky July y; ~ ases Of
s,r-I have already by telegraph acknowledged your
Mr. PRICE, which states that provost marsss issue
frec papers" TO negroes Unfortunately refer you
to my. despatch, in which gay no paPors', are
literally true does not quite meet the acs AZ they are
forward you my General Orders Nos SO and 40. IN
vos, uusrshss &c, TO negroes 70 hold them, and,
told many cases. they regard and act upon them as
The reason for issuing Order No 80 will be found on
the face OF tho ORDER but the reasons which influenced
the Mayor and his friends 10 apply 10 me do not Large
SURROUNDING country, who had escaped from or repu
dated the authority VI their masters.
Tho Mayor and o.heE desired my approval OF plan
they had arranged Tor the general enforcement OF the
against vagTancy and the law which forbids slaves
u 70 At large and hire themselves out free persons
n have enforced these laws would have produced great
misery and alarm among the blacks To leave the
groes In the city would have alarmed the fears Of the
csens whs were beforehand taught TO think tner pre-.
sencG would cause peetenc0 They sought 10 make me
responsible for either consequence.
To avoid both I issued Order No. 80. Under II over
ave thousand negroes have crossed tho Ohio river a. this
Before tbc Fourth OF July impression got abroad
among the negroes throughout the State that that day
they would ali be made free Innamed by this belief,
thousands Of them LEFT their masters HOUSES and came
pools and different points 10 the State Every
nook aud hiding place u such places a. Camp Nelson
Lexington frankfort Bowling Green, humfordvile, &C.,
was nied with them They wore without work or means
and greater the number and tho more destitute they
Were tho moro the people resisted employing them.
Was compelled from these Causes 70 issue General Or
ders No. ~; and the free papers" referred 70 In Tue
telegram Of Mr. Price arc merely the passes Issued under
that order. ..
i have been greatly embarrassed In respect 70 the
ooored people BY the acts and decara ons OF
and presses in the anti administration interest They
havo given the negroes extraordinary ideas OF the pur
poses q oc Sy II Ser
ent to FREQ them ALL furnish them with food and cloth
ing, and put them upon an equality with the whites
hood is followed by u stampede Of no roes.
Think and respectfully submit that II Impossible,
under The existing state Of facts here 70 enorce the
Al the beginning OF the war Kentucky had two
hundred nnd thirty thousand slaves. say $50 600
Our reports show number OF negro enlistments. 2Sss
Eslimaled number Of women and children freed
by resolution OF Congress Of March 3, 1865, two
aud o halt Tor each man. 1z,Vao
Total 100, ses
Balance. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. l2s, 1874
One hall OF this residue arc presumed 10 have
belonged TO the rebels and are therefore, free "a COS
From this small number ought still to be taken per.
ccDafc for the thousands who have escaped from tho
State
For the sake Of keeping tho small number subjcc.
ton TO MASTERS the whole In the State most
cruelty oppr ssed and outraged und color u laws which
render freedom ~ negro in Kentucky Impossible.
have felt my duty 10 give protection To this largo
free population far as possible but In doing have
been, OCCASIONS compelled TO do acts which, In enct
greatly impair the tenure Of the small number Of persons
no still technically masters Of slaves Indeed II
must be admitted that many slaves have left the State
under Orders Nos 81 and 40 (which cncosedL and
every decision make In favor Of negro seems 10 Start
host Of individual cases, which come wthin the same
principle.
ln Short slavery has no actual existence In Kentucky,
and n the constitutional amendment 10 defeated at the
election the whole active coored population will 0y,
less employ the troops to prevent and you have not
and will no, be likely 70 order tina. TO b. done.
To illustrate tho effect OF any fair rule upon the status
oil slavery In Kentucky will advert 10 the effect of
rule which am compelled 70 recognize and observe
BY the laws Of kenucky-laws once, when all we're
slaves, just enough In their appcation-ail negroes
presumed to be slaves. Now large majority are
certainly free To presume slavery from color alone
contrary to JUSTICE TO presume freedom, without regard
to color and give protection accordingly, Is TO end
slavery 1 am often called 70 afford projection where
there Is no proof at hand and am compelled presume
one way or the othor.
submit these difficulties TO meet some Of the com.
plants which will probably reach you from the loyal
people Of Kentucky. I have the honor 70 be, very
respectfully
j. NJ PALMER, Major General Commanding.