The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-19

A MILITARY ORDER.
HEADQUARTERS U. g. FoRCEs,l
PETERSBURG, April "a.

HEADQUARTERS U. g. FORCES,
PETERSBURG, April "a.
General Orders No. III.
/. The delusion which many colored persons.
formerly slaves, are laboring under concerning
their rights and privileges, having been in manY
instances productive of evil, and giving pros.
pect of much trouble in the future, both to
themselves and their former masters. it is
deemed necessary to correct it. and explain
what are the true relations their changed condi
ton places hem in towards the government
and their former masters, as well as what their
own duties and responsibilities are. Their
error consists mainly in the belief that with their
liberty they acquire individual rights in the
property of their former masters, and that they
are entitled to live with and be subsisted by
them without being obliged to labor OF give
any remuneration for their support. Many
even believe that the entire property of their
FORMER owner belongs now to themselves, and
lnas the owner remains with them only by their
s01erance;: This mistake has been originated
and sustained in many instances by ruthless.
ignorant or mischievous soldiers. =
1t is, therefore, stated for the information
and guidance to negroes, formerly slaves, and
for the benefit of themselves, their former mas
tiers and society where they live, that the
operation OF existing. laws is to make them
free, but not to give them any claim whatever
upon, or rights in connection with, the proper
ty of their former owners. They are at liberty
to make any contract or agreement concerning
themselves that any white may, and equally
bound to abide by it. Their former master has
the right to refuse them anything that he might
deny to perfect stranger, and is no more bound
to feed, clOthe or protect them than if he had
never been their master. They may remain
with him if he or they both desire it, and agree
on the terms, in which case each party is bound
by the contract. ts "a - so sef'e
The fact must be learned in time by all
negroes, and the sooner the better for them
selves and all concerned, that they must work
for their support now the same as before they
were free; in some instances, perhaps, even
harder. The difference between then and now
being that now they have the entire wagies of
their labor to themselves. $50. +. ,f,,o
The destitute ration will not hereafter be
issued to any person whatever who are able to
labor, unless they can show that they have made
efforts and found itimpossible to obtain work.
In order to provide alike for those wanting, to
employ and to be employed, the following
arrangement will Immediately be made viz:
Brevet Maj. Gen. Ferrero will detail an off,
Ger as employment agent, whose duty it shall
be to keep register of all colored persons to
whom the destitute ration is issued, and of all
others who may desire employment, classify
ing them according to sex and trade, or occu-
patton, with short descriptive list of each.
All persons desiring to hire servants or Ia.
borers of any kind, are requested to call at the
Office of the employment agent, where they
will be permitted to examine the register, and
select from it such persons as they wish to hire,
stating the compensation they are willing to
give, which must be fair and reasonable, to he
determined by the employment agent. The
person selected will then be notified, and, if
willing will be employed and dropped from
the list. If not willing to work, such persons
will mot be permitted to draw another ration.
All colored persons living in the country are
informed that it is much better for them to re-
main there than to come TO the already over
stocked city, and that they will not be per-
mitted to come here for work or subsistence
unless they cannot obtain them where they are.
| By command of Maj Gen. Hartsuff.
j. II. HOWARD,
-t- A. A. g., A. D. C..